OT - The Tigers haven't clinched the division yet because of Rodney.

Submitted by Sommy on

Fact.

MichFan1997

October 2nd, 2009 at 2:49 AM ^

if he hadn't blown that ONE save...

But then again, if we had most other closers in the league with their save percentages....then the Twins would have it locked up.

wolverine1987

October 2nd, 2009 at 8:00 AM ^

I didn't agree then and don't now, that save percentage is the only relevant measure for a closer. When you constantly put runners on base, you ratchet up the pressure on your own team, and give the opposing team hope and confidence, which can lead to disaster, particularly in the playoffs. I know you're not saying he's awesome because of that stat, but I'd take a closer with a low ERA who blew 3-4 saves over a high ERA guy who blew one.

schmakj

October 2nd, 2009 at 9:27 AM ^

Someone published his numbers on September 4th - in 33 opportunities, Rodney had an ERA of 2.43.

Since, in 4 opportunities - 4 IP. 3 ER. 4 H. 3 ER. 4 Saves.

You can approximate the bump in ERA in save opportunities to about 2.9 if you include the numbers from September.

His WHIP is high compared to other closers, but I'd be curious to see that stat for when he is closing the game.

Sep 4th reference:
http://www.detroit4lyfe.com/articles/detroit-tigers/is-rodney-pitching-…

Craig

October 2nd, 2009 at 12:03 PM ^

I've been saying this since Rodney sealed up the closer post. He is the second coming of Todd Jones...which translates into "almost losing every game, even when we go into the 9th with a 5 run lead, but still winning."

I just don't get how he does it. It must be one of those "bend don't break, throw wildly outside balls, load the bases and then pull a K on some hotshot batter out of nowhere" philosophies.

ikestoys

October 2nd, 2009 at 3:01 AM ^

"if he hadn't blown that ONE save..."

Rodney blew a save against Cleveland. Assuming we won that game, the Tigers magic number would be 1 instead of 2, so they would not have clinched yet.

Blue boy johnson

October 2nd, 2009 at 7:47 AM ^

You make an excellent point, because as I have learned on this here blog: Rodney has a sub par WHIP ERA ITC LNB and TLC, which of course supersedes results any day of the week.

dex

October 2nd, 2009 at 8:09 AM ^

I like the assumption that any other closer in baseball would have won the multitude ERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR, ONE game that Rodney blew.

bronxblue

October 2nd, 2009 at 9:42 AM ^

I hear Skip Bayless's voice in my head as I read this post. Needless to say, not a good thing.

Rodney has been a roller coaster of a closer, but the guy has always gotten the job done. Would I like to have a guy who just shut down the other team without letting runners on? Sure, but I also wish the lineup had more than 1 legitimate bat and the starting rotation was stronger after the top 3. But that's life. There are quite a few reasons why Detroit has not clinched yet; Rodney is not one of them.

BlueinLansing

October 2nd, 2009 at 9:59 AM ^

because the Twins have played near .800 baseball for the past 3 weeks. If the Twins play even .600 baseball in that time (still red hot in baseball terms) the Tigers would have clinced Tuesday afternoon.

fatbastard

October 2nd, 2009 at 10:00 AM ^

an insane post. Amen.

Dude, by your logic, the reason Michigan was 3-9 last year was that Brandon Minor didn't run hard enough.

TomW09

October 2nd, 2009 at 10:53 AM ^

Apparently there's some funky electromagnetic field passing through the Ann Arbor area this morning, because everyone's sarcasm meter is failing.

lunchboxthegoat

October 3rd, 2009 at 6:15 PM ^

those of you throwing darts because of our collective sarcasm fail gotta give us a break...its in-season which means a drastic rise of illiterati on this board and thus making discerning between sarcasm and logic fail is increasingly difficult.