What’s up with Joe Nathan?

It comes to mind that after Joe Nathan tried to blow a save Sunday (bases loaded with no outs; to be fair one guy was on base due to a throwing error—by Joe Nathan himself. And really, the play probably could’ve been a double play with a good throw) and definitely blew a save Wednesday afternoon, many are wondering: what’s up with Joe Nathan?

Already in September, he’s given up more earned runs than he has in any given month so far in 2009. (We can hope he doesn’t break the record in October, since there are only four games in October.) Now, to be fair two of the runs charged to Nathan were base runners he left on base when he was removed from the game.

Joe Nathan has blown five saves already this year, with a month left on the season. While this seems unnaturally high, looking at stats shows that he in general blows a few saves every year. In 2006, he converted a record 36 of 38 opportunities (95%), while in 2008 he had his worst year (39 of 45, or 87%). So far this year, he’s converted 35 of 40 opportunities (88%). In fact, it’s really only been one blown save per month, except for June (provided no more are blown this month). Is this year any worse than other years? Really, it doesn’t seem like it.

Nathan’s WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) has hovered just under 1.00 since becoming a closer, with a low of .79 in 2006 (anyone surprised?) and a high of 1.02 in 2007. Presently, he’s at .98.

Statistically speaking, he’s right on par. His Eddie Guadardo-like ending on Sunday (Twins fans know what I’m talking about) and his baffling ending on Wednesday notwithstanding, there really might not be anything different this year than last year.

In conclusion, what’s up with Joe Nathan? Nothing. These things just happen.

It’s my birthday on Saturday! This is such a big event that many people in America will have the day off on Monday to recover from the weekend celebration. Enjoy!