Joe Nathan of the Minnesota Twins nailed down his 12th save of the 2007 season on Friday. Nathan is 12 of 13 with a 2-1 record. Nathan is on pace to save just about as many as he did in 2006 (36) and his earned run average is very good at a 2.13 mark but his K/9 rate is down slightly at 9.6, his walk total is up slightly with more than half of his 2006 total (16) nine already in the books and his H/9 is also up at 1.03. Nathan is getting the job done but his numbers suggest that he is flirting with danger.
If you are in search of holds it is usually a good idea to look at the setup guy for the leader in saves. Right now that is Scot Shields of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Shields earned his 13th hold of the 2007 season on Friday and increased his American League lead in holds to two. Shields is striking out 7.98 per nine innings and only allowing .51 hits per inning while sporting an earned run average of 2.76.
Robinson Cano of the New York Yankees showed signs of life on Friday night against the Boston Red Sox. Cano went two for four with two runs scored and two runs batted in including a homerun. Cano is now six for his last eight with three runs batted in and it looks like he is ready to start producing. Cano is now batting .269 with three homeruns and 25 runs batted in.
Jason Michaels of the Cleveland Indians had a big night at the plate on Friday against the Detroit Tigers. Michaels tagged the Tigers for two hits on two at bats and two runs batted in including a two run dinger. Michaels has been red hot over his last 11 games, posting a .382 batting average while driving in seven runs and adding two long balls.
Todd Jones of the Detroit Tigers is having an awful season. Jones racked up his fourth blown save on Friday against the Cleveland Indians and suffered his third loss dropping him to 1-3 on the year. Jones allowed five earned runs in just one inning pumping his earned run average all the way up to 6.04. Jones has allowed 28 hits in 22.1 innings pitched. Stay Away!!!
