Pete Fairbanks Leading Charge in Strong Tampa Bay Rays Bullpen

The veteran's most recent save came in the most lock-down fashion. Entering the ninth inning with a 7-5 lead over the division rival New York Yankees, Fairbanks, 31, was ready.

With Trent Grisham, Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger due up for the Yankees, the 1-2-3 hitters in their lineup, Fairbanks showed no fear. Fifteen pitches and three strikeouts later, Fairbanks closed the door on the Bronx Bombers by striking out the side, in order, collecting the 71st save of his career.

While Fairbanks has not been the only dominant force in the 'pen for Tampa, he has been the one to shut the door on opposing teams. Tampa Bay enters play Monday with a bullpen ERA of 2.97, good enough for fifth in Major League Baseball, and yet another testament to just how much of a pitching factory the franchise is.

The question for the rest of the season becomes: Can Fairbanks do it over a full 162 games? To this point in his career, injuries have played a major role, so much so that he has not topped 50 innings pitched in a single campaign once. His career high currently sits at 45.1, a mark he has reached twice with both coming over the last two seasons.

Should Fairbanks continue to dominate over a full season, it will be a major boon for the Rays and their chances in the daunting American League East. With what he has done thus far, it should at least be enough to land the veteran his first All-Star nod if nothing else.