King (1-0) allowed zero hits and one walk over 1.1 scoreless relief innings to pick up the win over the Angels on Thursday.
Starter Dane Dunning was pulled after eight outs and 86 pitches, but the Rangers were coasting at the time with an 8-2 lead. Dunning's inefficiency created a chance for King to collect his first win of 2022. King, who worked as a multi-inning reliever in 2021, vultured seven wins out of the bullpen last season, when Texas starters often needed relief. The rotation is off to a similar start this season (6.85 ERA while averaging four innings per start), so guys like King could be needed often in the middle innings. Mix in a potent offense (fourth in runs scored so far) and the recipe is there for more relief wins.