Fansided

Which MLB contenders should hit panic button?

By Joshua Sadlock

Apr 7, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista (19) reacts as he strikes out and walks back to the bench during the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista (19) reacts as he strikes out and walks back to the bench during the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 16, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Texas Rangers teammates gather around pitcher Sam Dyson (center) during the ninth inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Seattle won 8-7. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Texas Rangers teammates gather around pitcher Sam Dyson (center) during the ninth inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Seattle won 8-7. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /

Texas Rangers

  • Record: 5-8
  • Culprit: Sam Dyson

Take away closer Sam Dyson, and the Rangers might actually be in first place. Now on the DL with a right hand contusion, Dyson has started the year with three blown saves, three losses, and 13 earned runs allowed in 4.1 innings. A run and out — that’s a good ratio. Dyson has not looked terrible on the mound, with decreased velocity and no swing-and-miss stuff. When closers who pitch to contact lose it, the results can be disastrous.

The Rangers went a ridiculous 36-11 in one-run games last year with their relievers winning over 40 of their 95 victories. That type of success in close games was always going to be unsustainable for a team with what is in reality a very mediocre bullpen.

There is some stabilization coming for the beleaguered Rangers bullpen with Dyson taking some time off. The fact that their bullpen ERA does not rank last in the league is a testament to the fact that everyone except Dyson has mostly been doing their job. Jose Leclerc, Jeremy Jeffress, and Matt Bush have pitched well. Can they continue pitching at the same level when moved up an inning? That’s the big question the Rangers will look to answer over the next two weeks.

If not for the bullpen meltdowns, the Rangers have plenty to feel positive about. Their offense has put up over five runs per game with a team batting average and on-base percentage that both rank in the bottom ten of MLB. Texas has already hit 20 home runs, but has struck out 111 times. Feast or famine to the max with this group. Nomar Mazara is coming into his own, with a .352/.397/.630 line with four home runs and 16 driven in through 13 games.

Level of Panic

Cautiously optimistic. The offense has scored almost 70 runs already despite inconsistent contact at the plate. Cole Hamels and Yu Darvish have done their jobs at the top of the rotation. If the Rangers can figure out the ninth inning, their playoff hopes are still intact.

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