Jacob Latz: Everything you need to know

Latz earned a save against the Astros on Tuesday, allowing one run on one hit while striking out two batters over 1.1 innings. Texas jumped out to an 8-0 lead after one inning, but Houston managed to close the deficit to three runs with two outs in the eighth. Latz was brought in with a runner on second in that frame and struck out Brice Matthews to finish the inning. He then gave up a solo homer to Jeremy Pena in the ninth, but the Astros weren't able to get any closer. Latz's save was his first in two weeks and just his third appearance over that span. With that said, no Texas pitcher picked up a save during those two weeks, and Latz remains the leading candidate for saves moving forward.

Latz was charged with a blown save Wednesday against the Diamondbacks, allowing three runs on three hits and no walks. He failed to record an out. Brought in to preserve a 3-2 lead in the ninth inning, Latz allowed six baserunners and even threw a wild pitch in a calamitous outing. The 30-year-old left-hander already had a loose grip on Texas' closer role, but his numbers remain strong enough that the Rangers figure to continue deploying him as their primary ninth-inning option. Through 21.2 innings, Latz has a 2.08 ERA, 0.60 WHIP and 17:5 K:BB while converting five of his seven save chances.

Latz earned a save against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday by retiring all three batters he faced in the ninth inning. Latz didn't look like he would get a chance to close with Texas leading 7-1 entering the ninth. However, Gavin Collyer failed to register an out while walking three batters and giving up a single, so Latz was called upon to put out the flames. The lefty allowed a pair of inherited runners to score but did his job successfully, getting three outs on 12 pitches. He seems to have settled in as the Rangers' closer, collecting a save in five of his past six appearances while posting a minuscule 0.83 ERA and 0.42 WHIP along with a 17:4 K:BB across 21.2 frames on the campaign.