Unless something changes significantly in the final month of the season, the Rangers won’t know their closer into next year’s spring training.
Another spotty performance in an inconsistent season by Neftali Feliz only fuels that fire.
On Sunday in Houston manager Ron Washington asked Feliz to clean up the 8th inning mess created by set-up man Neal Cotts. The Rangers had led 2-1, but were now tied. Feliz needed to get one out – Robbie Grossman – to wiggle out of the jam.
Nope.
With blah velocity and little command, Feliz walked Grossman before giving up Jose Altuve’s game-winning single on a 91 mph fastball. In a season of injuries and losses and more losses, the Rangers blew this one to the Astros, 3-2.
At this point, gone are the days of Feliz and his 100-mph heat. And at this rate, vanished is the confidence the Rangers have in him as the closer moving forward.
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
