Bryan Baker is putting together one of the greatest seasons by a closer in Tampa Bay Rays history. With an MLB-leading 35 saves and a franchise-record 24 consecutive conversions, Baker now has Fernando Rodney's single-season Rays record of 48 saves within striking distance.
The Tampa Bay Rays closer is having a season to remember.
Following the team's victory to avoid the sweep on Monday against the Baltimore Orioles, Rays closer Bryan Baker did something that has never happened in Tampa Bay.
Baker picked up his 24th consecutive save, getting five outs to finish the game for the Rays. This feat has now become the best season by any closer in franchise history.
After making the All-Star Game this season, Baker is certainly holding down the back end of a bullpen that has the potential to be one of the most dangerous heading into the final stretch of the regular season and hopefully a deep postseason run this fall.
Baker is currently leading MLB with 35 saves on the season and is certainly a big reason why the Rays hold a 5 game lead over the New York Yankees for the AL East division lead.
Add in the help of Kevin Kelly and recently acquired reliever Tyler Wells, and the back end of the bullpen is a dangerous one for Kevin Cash to work with.
The next step is to cement himself and his season as truly the best in Rays history once and for all. He is 13 saves away from tying Fernando Rodney's 2012 season of 48 saves, the most of any reliever to wear the Tampa Bay uniform.
It won't be easy, but it is certainly doable.
Following the series opening loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, the team has 37 games remaining in the regular season. This basically means that Baker needs one save per every 3-game series to tie Rodney.
Something that absolutely can be done the way the team and pitching staff have played for the majority of games following the trade deadline.
The team has struggled the last few outings with some rotation issues, and some pitchers are itching to get back on the mound after being placed on the injured list, but Baker and the bullpen continue to be seen as one of the best and most consistent in baseball this season.
He will hope for a chance at save number 36 on Wednesday as the Rays hope to get back in the win column against the surging Toronto Blue Jays at Tropicana Field.
Of course it's easy to root for the Rays, but maybe limit their margin of victory to ensure save opportunities for one of the best stories in baseball.
