Jose Leclerc has pitched in two of the first three games of the season. In both games he allowed the go-ahead run to score.

Granted, in the first game of the season, he had an assist from Jonah Heim. But, Heim’s blunder would have never happened had Leclerc pitched like a closer should pitch

Instead, he pitched pretty much like a 2023 Rangers bullpen arm. Meaning, poorly. After retiring the first two batters he faced with the game tied in the ninth inning in the first game, Leclerc walked the next two. That set up Heim’s blunder. That wouldn’t have happened had Leclerc been able to finish the inning.

Then last night, with the score tied once again, this time 5-5, Leclerc come in to lock it down, so the Rangers could win in the bottom of the ninth.

He got the first Cub to fly out. Then, his issues resurfaced. A walk. A single. Another walk to load the bases. He got a force out at home for the second out. But, one of the rule changes is that there are now three outs in every inning instead of two. Leclerc is pitching on the old two-outs-per-inning rule. He walked the next Cubs hitter to make it 6-5. Bochy had had enough and took him out of the game at that point, with all three runners on base his responsibility. All three scored.

In the end, Leclerc pitched two-thirds of an inning, gave up one hit, three walks, and four earned runs. 

You have to wonder how long Bruce Bochy is going to stick with Leclerc, especially now that he had Kirby Yates and David Robinson, both successful closers at one time.

But then, so was Leclerc. 

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