CLEVELAND -- Detroit Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire likes relievers to have roles. Pitching coach Chris Bosio values flexibility.
They have melded their two philosophies of bullpen management in the first two weeks of the season with surprisingly impressive results.
Since allowing five runs in the fifth inning on April 1, Tigers relievers have combined to allow just two runs over 21 2/3 innings (0.83 ERA).
"The guys are going out there ready to pitch and they're responding to the challenges that we're throwing at them," Gardenhire said. "I like how they're all going and attacking the strike zone and throwing the ball over the plate.