Bryan

Baker

Baker got the call to protect a lead for the second consecutive game in the series and needed just 13 pitches (seven strikes) to eliminate any hope of a Boston rally. The unheralded 31-year-old has converted 18 of 21 save opportunities this season and has reeled off nine consecutive scoreless appearances dating back to May 17. He’s been one of the most impactful early-season waiver wire pickups in fantasy.

Baker was summoned to guard a two-run advantage in the final frame and needed just 12 pitches (11 strikes) to get the job done. Things got interesting when Wilyer Abreu delivered a one-out single that brought the potential tying run to the plate. However, Baker managed to strike out Willson Contreras and coax a game-ending ground ball from Mickey Gasper to extinguish the threat. He’s the undisputed closer in Tampa Bay right now, having converted 17 of 20 save opportunities this season.

Baker threw 10 of them for strikes, allowing one hit while picking up one strikeout. Tampa Bay has used him as the primary closer, as his 16 saves dwarf the next highest on the team, which consists of three relievers tied at two. Baker’s strike-throwing ability, strong results, and team commitment continue to push him up the closer ranks as the season moves along.

Baker was summoned to guard a three-run lead after Kevin Kelly came on to extinguish an eighth-inning fire and managed to hang on despite some turbulence. He made things interesting by issuing a one-out walk to Logan O’Hoppe before Jose Siri followed with a single against his former club. He struck out Zach Neto before walking Mike Trout to load the bases and put the potential go-ahead run at the plate. He managed to coax a harmless pop up from Vaughn Grissom to end it.

Baker walked Austin Wells with one out in the ninth inning but retired the next two batters he faced to end the game, giving the Rays their fourth-straight win over the Yankees this season. Baker remains solid out of the bullpen and has converted each of his last three save opportunities.

Baker got the call to protect a three-run lead against the heart of Baltimore’s order and needed just 10 pitchs to slam the door on his former team. He coaxed harmless fly outs from Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman before striking out Pete Alonso to secure the save. He’s converted 13 of 16 save opportunities to go along with a stellar 2.66 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 24/8 K/BB ratio across 20 1/3 innings.

He made things a bit interesting by allowing a leadoff single to Joe Mack, but rebounded to retire Xavier Edwards on a line out to left, Liam Hicks on a fielder’s choice and Otto Lopez on pop out to shortstop to end it. Baker has been a revelation for the Rays — and for fantasy managers — in the ninth inning this season, posting a 2.79 ERA and 23/8 K/BB ratio over 19 1/3 innings of work while converting 12 of his 15 save opportunities.

Baker entered in the bottom of the eighth with a 1-0 lead, so it didn’t appear as if he’d get the save chance. The right-hander then issued four free passes after previously allowing four all season. Notably, he was pitching for the third time in four days, but this isn’t what fantasy managers wanted to see, including the usage. If he gets back to throwing strikes in his next appearance, he should remain Tampa Bay’s primary closing option.

Baker got the call to protect a three-run lead in the final frame and needed just 11 pitches (nine strikes) to slam the door. He struck out Myles Straw, got Ernie Clement to line out to center field and fanned Andrés Giménez to end it. The unheralded 31-year-old journeyman has converted 11 of 13 save opportunities this season and finds himself just one behind Padres relief ace Mason Miller for the league lead. Simply put, he’s been an unexpected revelation for fantasy managers.

It wasn’t the smoothest of innings, as he allowed a leadoff double to Mickey Gasper and a walk to Marcelo Mayer, but he battled back to retire the next three hitters in order to end it. Baker has been extremely effective in the ninth inning for the Rays this season, posting a 2.30 ERA and a 17/3 K/BB ratio over 15 2/3 innings of work.