I can’t believe how many people on here defend that guy.

Lyon and Zumaya should be given a chance to close, I’m not saying pull Rodney yet but let Lyon try it once or twice then see how Rodney reacts to it. I think the Big picture is when Rodney is throwing stirkes his fast ball and change up is better then Lyon or Zumaya best two pitches

Joel is heathly for the first time in a long time, He’s throwing the way he did back in 06. I’m not saying name him the full time closer but Rodney last couple performances leaves alot to question. Being a closer is 90% mental 10% physical, once he gets over that he could be a closer

give up those 2 homers : ), when Joel is mixing in his breaking ball with the fast ball he looks like a closer

Rodney has been one of top five players on the team by any realistic assessment this year. I agree that he was pretty bad the last two years, but he’s shown tremendous poise and guts all year. He’s contributed to 26 wins and only 2 losses. Nobody has their best stuff every game. That’s why no team goes 162 and 0 or no pitcher 35-0. What’s truly impressive is when a guy is having an off game and still finds a way to contribute something positve to the team. I’ve seen too many Tiger hitters give up at bats when they were having a tough night or facing a tough pitcher and too many pitchers give up and groove one when they didn’t have their top command or feel one night. But not Rodney. He’s battled tremendously and really been a surprise (only gave up 1 homer on the year). Last night he saved an important game for the team. Granted, he saved it mostly from himself, but sometimes that’s the hardest save of all.
    I wish others on the team would learn from Rodney’s example this year, particularly Zumaya (4 for 19 in save opportunities in his career). Hard to understand the abuse Rodney gets on these sites if you look at reality. Maybe if the Tigers had Papplebon they could have gone 4-7 on this road trip or even 5 and 6, instead of, well, 5 and 6. Yet, people act like he’s somehow hurting the team. I don’t know if he’ll hold up the whole season considering his past shoulder problems and Tommy John surgery (especially if he pitches 3 days in a row as he’s done twice already), but Rodney has been one of the most impressive and improved players on the team so far.

I wonder how many saves rodney will have to blow " or close enough to scare leland to start testing to back up plans"…

Make that 14/14 and yesterday’s performance was flawless. 2 ground balls and a strikeout to end the game.

Sure, he makes it more interesting than that sometimes, but we got to the WS in 2006 with Rollercoaster Jones! We should be used to the drama. Rodney is doing fine, some people just like to gripe.