That’s not a pretty bad stat line, for a hitter. But for a closer, it’s pretty shoddy. And unfortunately Troy Percival has saved two games, but he’s done it in five high pressure situations. I know he’s two for four in save opportunities, but the run he gave up April 12 lost the game, so I’m counting it.

Typically, your closer is considered your best relief pitcher, and Percival isn’t pitching like he’s the best. Probably most concerning is his 5/5 strikeout to walk ratio. And while his WHIP isn’t bad (1.26), it’s not in line with what you’d expect from even a middle tier closer.

At the start of the season, the bullpen moves that the Tigers made were praised. But to date, the pen has been rather mediocre. Hopefully over the next couple of weeks, they’ll get their stuff together and start winning us ballgames, instead of costing us.

Lost in this is the fact that the Tigers won last night. They’re riding a five game winning streak and that they’re only three games back of the White Sox in the loss column. Nate Robertson had his best outing of the season, and tonight it will be Jason Johnson vs. Orlando Hernandez. Let’s make it six in a row.

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