This is what it feels like to be a meteorologist in Texas in the summer.

Today, extremely hot and unbearable.

Tomorrow, extremely hot and unbearable.

All next week, extremely hot and unbearable.

Next two months, extremely hot and unbearable.

It’s the same as talking about the Rangers in 2023.

Today, the bullpen caved and cost the Rangers another game.

Tomorrow, the bullpen will cave and cost the Rangers another game.

All next week, the bullpen will cave and cost the Rangers another game.

Next two months, the bullpen will cave and cost the Rangers another game.

Once again, the Rangers bullpen cost the Rangers another win, going up two runs in the eighth and one in the ninth for a heartbreaking 6-5 loss.

The only saving grace here is, it’s happening at the beginning of the season, in broad daylight, for all to see. This, at least, they can fix. It won’t be easy, though. Or cheap. 

Any team in contention would never trade a quality bullpen piece now. Teams out of contention will. But with every game the Rangers bullpen coughs up, the price gets higher. 

That’s the cost of ignoring the pen. Or, maybe not totally ignoring it, but thinking guys coming off major arm injuries can be counted on.

Jon Daniels was criticized, and rightfully so, for many years here for his inability to draft, develop talent (especially pitching), create a competitive roster, fashion a starting rotation, find a left fielder, cobble together a bullpen, hire a manager, win. So, it’s only fair that Chris Young starts getting the heat for his inaction over the offseason to bolster the bullpen. 

Now, it’s out there laid bare in plain sight. This bullpen is unreliable. It is the team’s Achilles heel. How he responds will start to define his tenure as the Rangers general manager.

This team should be running away with the division. Instead, it’s limping. 

And, like the weather in Texas in the summer, it’s unbearable.

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