Bryan

Baker

Cade Smith (26) is the only closer with more saves than Baker. Entering the year, it was believed that Griffin Jax, Garrett Cleavinger, and Edwin Uceta would share the ninth inning for the Rays. In typical Tampa Bay fashion, it’s Baker who has a stranglehold on the closer role with under a week to go before the All-Star break. The Rays handed New York their 11th loss in 13 games with Wednesday’s shutout.

Baker got the call to protect a two-run lead in the final frame and managed to work around a two-out single from Ali Sánchez to preserve the victory. The unheralded 31-year-old is headed to his first All-Star Game next week after converting 24 saves to go along with a 1.78 ERA and 38/11 K/BB ratio over 35 1/3 innings this season. He’s been one of the most impactful waiver wire additions of the entire first half for fantasy managers.

Uceta has been on the injured list with lingering shoulder issues since spring training and his odds of making it back this season are fading quickly. The fact that he keeps suffering setbacks means that season-ending surgery is probably a realistic outcome. The track record for pitchers coming off major shoulder procedures isn’t exactly sunshine and rainbows either. In the meantime, unheralded Bryan Baker has excelled as Tampa Bay’s closer and was named to his first All-Star Game earlier this week. There should be a clearer idea of his next steps at some point in the coming weeks.

Baker keeps on rolling. It took him just 12 pitches to dispatch the Astros here and he pushed his ERA down to 1.83 in what’s been a breakout season. He trails only Cade Smith in saves and hasn’t blown a chance since May 13th. That’s a tier-one closer.

Baker made it look quite easy in this one, needing just eight pitches (six strikes) to retire Josh Rojas on strikes, Nick Loftin on a fly ball to center and Michael Massey on a ground ball to second base. He has been one of the biggest surprises in baseball this season, posting a stellar 1.89 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and a 36/11 K/BB ratio over 33 1/3 innings while converting 22 of his first 25 save opportunities.

Baker was summoned in the top of the ninth to close out the game against the Diamondbacks with a two-run lead. He made quick work of Arizona, generating two groundouts and a pop-out to secure the win and his 21st save of the season. Baker has been one of the best closers to emerge this season, posting a 1.95 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, and a 35/11 K/BB ratio across 32 1/3 innings.

A pinch-hit home run from Josh Rojas was not enough to spoil this save for Baker. It was the first run he’d given up in 12 outings as he’s ascended to being one of the most productive closers in the league. With this save being his 20th, he joined Mason Miller and Cade Smith as the only relievers to reach that mark so far and Baker has done so with an elite 2.01 ERA and 0.89 WHIP.

Baker was used against the heart of the Nationals’ lineup. It’s disappointing that he couldn’t come away with a save in a one-run win, but the Rays have already helped him to 19 this year. He’ll continue to serve as a top-10 closer even if he isn’t getting 100% of the save chances. Kevin Kelly filled in against Washington on Sunday.

Baker continues to shut the door on opposing hitters, needing just 13 pitches to retire the Nationals and secure his 19th save of the season. He’s a perfect 3-for-3 in save opportunities this month and has not allowed an earned run in June.

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.