"When you're ahead in that type of situation in your own ballpark," Banister said, "you have the advantage of being ahead and putting the closer out there."
Wait, what was that?
Banister conceded, thus ending the "no roles" bullpen. Shawn Tolleson is officially the Rangers' closer.
"He's closed enough games out for us to be called a closer," Banister said. "I'm comfortable with giving [Tolleson] the closer's position."
It's only a word, but it is a significant one. Since taking over as the "ninth-inning guy," Tolleson is 9-for-9 in save opportunities. In his past 12 appearances, opponents are hitting .