K-Rod's change-up creates stress-free saves

Francisco Rodriguez (0-0, 2.93 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 24 of 26 saves): A true master. In an era where closers are defined by triple-digit heat, Rodriguez thrives by studying hitters, reading swings and manipulating his eclectic change-up off well-located 89-90 mph fastballs. It’s to a joy watch, certainly for Tigers followers who haven’t enjoyed this many stress-free ninth innings in years. GRADE: A

Detroit – What Francisco Rodriguez is doing this year, pitching all these relatively stress-free ninth innings, is a phenomenon new and not much seen in recent seasons of Tigers baseball.

But it’s not new to Rodriguez. So he doesn’t understand where a question like — Are you even a little surprised at…