On the surface, you'd have to think that Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez is loving life right now. He's already got 43 saves in 46 chances this season, leaving him only 14 shy of tying Bobby Thigpen's record for saves in a season of 57. Then there's the fact that he's playing for a team that's 10.5 games up on it's division, and doesn't look like it's going to get a serious challenge from anybody.Oh, and he's having this record shattering season of his in his walk year. Yep, he's a free agent this winter, and K-Rod is going to get paid. So everything is perfect, right? No, actually, there is one thing that Francisco's doing a lot of this year that's really bothering him.
But the right-hander has already walked 28, seven shy of his career high, set in 2003. He has struck out only 48, well off the pace of his 99-strikeout average in his first five full seasons. Opponents have reached base at a career-high .302 clip against Rodriguez.
"The walks are kind of high -- that's the only thing that irritates me," said Rodriguez, who is on pace for 67 saves. "I have to give credit to the hitters. They're not chasing pitches as much as they used to. They're working counts.
"I have to adjust by trying to make pitches earlier in the count, by not falling behind. Some of it depends on the situation, who's hitting, who's not. You might be pitching around a guy to get to the next guy."Yes, for those who follow K-Rod and the Angels from afar probably see the 43 saves already and think this guy is untouchable. That's not the case this season, as more often than not, before Rodriguez locks down that save he's letting a few runners get on (his WHIP is a risky 1.25) and making things scarier than they have to be.
Of course, I don't think you'll be hearing Mike Scioscia or anybody else complaining about it too much.
