The Texas Rangers are in desperate need of a quality start by someone other than Yu Darvish, and the next guy in the sweepstakes is Nick Tepesch.
Tepesch will make his second start for the Rangers this year after a very successful start in Triple-A Round Rock on the heels of a decent outing in his first start against the light-hitting Houston Astros when he took a no-decision after the bullpen blew a solid debut outing for the second-year pitcher.
Tepesch lasted just 5 1/3 innings in that start while throwing 104 pitches, but he struck out eight batters and allowed just two hits and a run. Two more outs and it would've been a quality start for Tepesch but his pitch count was just too high thanks in part to three walks and 39 balls compared to 65 strikes.
The Rangers need Tepesch to step up on Wednesday for more than one reason — to give their bullpen a bit of a break, to possibly start a winning streak considering the team hasn't won consecutive games but once in the past month and to finally instill some confidence into a wounded club.
Tepesch wanted his shot in the rotation going into the year but had an awful spring. Now, he's getting his chance and needs to make the most of it.
