Porter says it is possible his best closer for the day might be available starter who is scheduled to throw a side session that day.
— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) September 3, 2013
He's not wrong. The Astros' bullpen has collectively posted a -5.4 WAR (meaning the Rangers' bullpen has posted an 11.6 Wins Above The Astros Bullpen). -5.4.
Here's the worst reliever WAR for the last 15 years (numbers via FanGraphs):
2012: Cubs (-1.5)
2011: Astros (-2.2)*
2010: Diamondbacks (-2.1)
2009: Nationals (-2.7)
2008: Pirates (-1.7)
2007: Devil Rays (-2.3)
2006: Orioles (-1.9)
2005: Devil Rays (-0.8)
2004: Reds (-3.2)
2003: Cardinals (-2.4)
2002: Devil Rays (-2.2)
2001: Cardinals (-1.1)
2000: Phillies (-2.2)
1999: Dodgers (-2.3)
1998: Marlins (-2.7)
*The only team to post a negative reliever WAR.
You see what this means, right? The next-worst bullpen in the last 15 years was worth two wins more than the current Astros bullpen, and it's still September 3.
