Texas Rangers: 5 areas of improvement for the Rangers after the Astros series

Aroldis Chapman should be the closer

Will Smith has been awesome in the closers' role this season. Monday was not a good representation of how good he has been this season. Smith is 14-16 in save opportunities with today's blown save being his second of the season. I am not wanting to denigrate what Smith has done for Texas and I think he is still a valuable member of this bullpen. The fact of the matter is that Chapman is and has been over his career a better pitcher.

The Rangers completed the trade for Chapman on Friday afternoon. He made his debut on Sunday with a scoreless seventh inning. Then pitched again on Monday and pitched a scoreless eighth inning. Both times the reliever that followed Chapman ended up blowing the lead. On Sunday it was Josh Sborz who gave up three runs in 2/3 of an inning to lose the game 5-3. Monday it was Will Smith who was handed an 11-10 lead and gave up two runs to lose 12-11.

Chapman was brought in to strengthen the bullpen. His best role is as a finisher. He has shown that ability throughout his career that he is not scared by the bright lights of the ninth inning. He has 317 saves in his career and has closed out several postseason games as well. It feels like this move is going to happen, it just is a matter of when and not if.

Next: The sensation that lost some shine in this series