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Predicting Bullpen Roles For the Texas Rangers In 2015

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Predicting Bullpen Roles For the Texas Rangers In 2015

Neftali Feliz Texas Rangers
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The winning formula for the Texas Rangers in the past was to have their starting pitchers eat up six to seven innings and then have them hand over the reins to an overpowering bullpen that would shut teams down. But due to multiple injuries last year, players found themselves in unfamiliar roles and as a result the pitching staff wasn’t as effective. This year they hope to have players in more comfortable roles, so here's what to expect.

5. Ross Detwiler as the Long Reliever

Ross Detwiler Washington Nationals
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5. Ross Detwiler as the Long Reliever

Ross Detwiler Washington Nationals
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This one will come as a surprise to most as the Rangers traded two minor leaguers for Detwiler in hopes that he would be their third or fourth starter. But he is still trying to make the transition from the bullpen to starter, and that is not always a successful switch -- especially when you are going to the AL from the NL. Look for him to start in the bullpen.

4. Shawn Tolleson, Roman Mendez and Spencer Patton the Middle Relievers

Roman Mendez TexasRangers
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4. Shawn Tolleson, Roman Mendez and Spencer Patton the Middle Relievers

Roman Mendez Texas Rangers
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All three pitchers possess enough control to avoid walking hitters, and they each have strikeout pitches available to them to help shut down an inning that may have gotten away from the starter. These guys are key as they are the bridge from the starter to the late-inning closers the Rangers value so much.

3. Tanner Scheppers as the Seventh Inning Guy

Tanner Scheppers TexasRangers
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3. Tanner Scheppers as the Seventh Inning Guy

Tanner Scheppers Texas Rangers
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Before he tried to become a starter, Scheppers was well on his way to being the future closer for the Rangers. He has the power that’s necessary to blow by hitters or keep balls in the infield, and with him around, Jeff Banister won’t feel the need to stretch out his starter unnecessarily.

2. Kyuji Fujikawa as the Setup Man

Kyuji Fujikawa Texas Rangers
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2. Kyuji Fujikawa as the Setup Man

Kyuji Fujikawa Texas Rangers
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With the Rangers officially giving up on Alexi Ogando, Neal Cotts and Robbie Ross, they needed to shore up the back end of their bullpen and did so by trading for Fujikawa. He has had success in this role before, and with Mike Maddux as his pitching coach, it should be a smooth transition for him in Texas.

1. Neftali Feliz as the Closer

Neftali Feliz Texas Rangers
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1. Neftali Feliz as the Closer

Neftali Feliz Texas Rangers
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I truly believe that Feliz never fully recovered from blowing the World Series to Lance Berkman and the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 6 four years ago and that’s the real explanation for his struggles the following year. It didn’t help matters that he had serious injuries later in the year as well, but now that he’s finally healthy he looks to return to form in 2015.

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