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Angels-Tigers Preview

Apr 30, 2010 - 3:05 AM By MATT BEARDMORE STATS Writer

Los Angeles (12-11) at Detroit (12-10), 7:05 p.m. EDT

Back in Detroit for the first time since signing with the Los Angeles Angels, Fernando Rodney says he's happy with his current role in the bullpen.

With Jose Valverde closing out games, the Tigers may not miss Rodney.

Boasting the top bullpen in the majors, the Tigers seek their third straight victory both overall and against the Angels when the teams open a weekend series Friday night at Comerica Park.

Rodney, who spent his first seven seasons in Detroit, got his chance to be a full-time closer in his 2009 contract year. He took full advantage, converting 37 of 38 opportunities. In the offseason, he bolted the Tigers (13-10) for Los Angeles - a team with an established veteran closer in Brian Fuentes.

Perhaps lured by the Angels' offer of $11 million over two years, Rodney insists he's content to serve in any capacity for a three-time reigning division champion and perennial contender.

"I was looking for a team that can win the World Series every year," he told the Angels' official website. "... For me, that's more important than anything else. My role doesn't matter."

Rodney spent some time in the closer's role earlier this month when a back strain sidelined Fuentes. He took full advantage, converting all five save opportunities including two against the Tigers. Opponents are batting .108 against him on the season.

Meanwhile, even without Rodney, the bullpen has emerged as Detroit's biggest strength. Anchored by Valverde - Houston's former closer and a free-agent acquisition - the Tigers have a major league-best 2.22 relief ERA.

Valverde earned his seventh save and lowered his ERA to 0.82 with a scoreless ninth inning Thursday afternoon, helping the Tigers beat Minnesota 3-0 to take two out of three from the AL Central leaders.

After Dontrelle Willis threw six innings of four-hit ball in Detroit's first shutout of the season, the relief corps may need to prepare for heavier work with Rick Porcello (1-2, 7.91 ERA) on the mound Friday. The second-year right-hander has given up six runs in each of his last two starts and yielded 10 hits in four innings of Sunday's 8-4 loss at Texas.

"I'm giving up way too many belt-high fastballs," Porcello said. "When you do that, you're gonna get hit."

A return home might help Porcello, who is 9-3 with a 3.90 in 17 career starts at Comerica including 1-0 with a 4.09 ERA in two outings this season.

The Angels (12-11) counter with Joel Pineiro (2-2, 3.42), who will try to bounce back from a poor outing and earn his second victory over the Tigers in less than two weeks.

The veteran right-hander allowed four total runs in his first three starts after signing with Los Angeles in the offseason, but got tagged for six runs and 11 hits in Saturday's 7-1 loss to the New York Yankees.

In his previous start April 19, Pineiro scattered nine hits in 7 1-3 innings of a 2-0 victory over Detroit. He improved to 6-2 with a 2.16 ERA in 10 starts against the Tigers.

After a fourth-inning single Thursday made him the sixth Venezuelan to reach 2,000 hits, Detroit's Magglio Ordonez looks for continued success against Pineiro. Ordonez is 11 for 26 in their matchups.

Despite going 0 for 7 in the last two games against Minnesota, Miguel Cabrera is batting .330 with 25 RBIs. He went 6 for 17 with a homer and five RBIs as the Tigers and Angels split four games in Anaheim earlier this month, and is batting .419 during a seven-game hitting streak versus Los Angeles.

Angels designated hitter Hideki Matsui is two RBIs from reaching 1,500 for his professional career, including Japan.

Los Angeles, which has won three of four including a 4-3 victory Wednesday over Cleveland, is opening a 10-game road trip that will continue with visits to Boston and Seattle.