Rays Closer Riding Historic Postseason Run

The Tampa Bay Rays were the best team in the American League this year, and their closer was a big reason why.

Bryan Baker suddenly emerged as one of the best closers in baseball this season, going 4-2 with a 1.44 ERA and leading the Majors with 41 saves. He made his first All-Star team at age 31, helping the Rays win the most games in the AL.

Fortunately for Tampa Bay, that success has carried over into October. Baker saved all three of the Rays' wins over the New York Yankees in the ALDS, helping them sweep their division rivals.

Since saves became an official statistic in 1969, Baker became just the fourth pitcher in MLB history to record a save in his team's first three games of a postseason, joining Manny Corpas (2007), Mark Wohlers (1996) and Dennis Eckersley (1988 and ‘96).