A few random thoughts on the recent play of the Tigers…
The Cleveland Clinic: Justin Verlander is once again proving that when his stuff is on, there are few better in the AL… And Edwin Jackson has proved my (and others’) skepticism about this deal unfounded. He seems to be the pitcher everyone in LA and [...]

Fernando Rodney #56

Height: 5′ 11″ | Weight: 220
2008 Stats: 0-6, 4.91 ERA, 13 Saves

In a bottom-line business like major league baseball, fans tend to overlook stats such as 49 strikeouts in 40 innings or 13 saves from a late-inning reliever like Fernando Rodney. Six blown saves and an ERA a whisker under five are more [...]

This is the bullpen help we’ve been waiting for?

The Tigers were likely ecstatic when Joel Zumaya managed a quicker-than-expected return from shoulder reconstruction. A healthy Zumaya (and Fernando Rodney) was to revitalize a rickety bullpen and fill in the sizable reliability gap late in games. Except they didn’t.
Zumaya was cleared to play in late June and appeared in 21 games (23.1 IP).
It all [...]

ESPN.com’s trip through each MLB team’s roster continued today with write Jonah Keri’s lens focused on the American League Central and the Tigers.
If you’re looking for a positive outlook to end your week, look elsewhere. Here’s a taste:
Aside from a younger, more athletic band of glove men, the Tigers need about a half-dozen new pitchers. [...]

Every time I sat down to write about a bit of Tigers news in the past five days, another shoe would drop and I’d think “I’ll write about both of those items.” Then another and another, etc.
So, as I wait out this Tigers/White Sox rain delay from bright, sunny Phoenix, it’s time to weigh in [...]

The Score: Tigers 8 – Rangers 7
The Gist: Gary Sheffield hit his 493rd career jack and went 3 for 5, and Curtis Granderson drove in four as the Tigers escaped with an 8-7 win in Arlington. Kenny Rogers eeked out a win thanks to two four-run outbursts by his teammates in the seventh and eighth. [...]