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Smith has been a model of consistency since taking over as Cleveland’s closer and finished this past season with 41 saves and a 1.95 ERA across 74 innings. Baker came out of nowhere to emerge as Tampa Bay’s stopper, notching 41 saves of his own. Varland made the leap into one of the more dominant relief pitchers in the game, posting a microscopic 1.27 ERA and 97/23 K/BB ratio across 78 innings. He also finished with a career-high 35 saves.

It’s a non-save situation because Yandy Díaz hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth to give Tampa Bay a four-run lead. The 31-year-old initiated a pair of groundouts to the top of the Cleveland lineup before getting Chase DeLauter to pop out to end the game. Baker will assuredly get the save chances — and plenty of other high-leverage looks — in the World Series beginning Friday.

Baker issued a walk to open the ninth, but was able to get the next three outs to procure his fifth save of the postseason; an impressive total even before you remember the Rays have only played eight games in the playoffs. Assuming he’s needed, it’s hard to imagine he won’t be called upon again in Game 6 against the Guardians on Monday.

Baker doesn’t get a save because a Yandy Diaz two-run homer in the ninth gave the Rays four-run lead. Something tells us that he didn’t mind. He did allow a hit to open his inning, but it was erased by a double play and he picked up a strikeout to end the festivities. Baker threw only 12 pitches, so there’s no reason to think he won’t be available in Game 5.

Baker has yet to allow a hit while pitching four scoreless innings and earning for saves this postseason. That his velocity is down about two mph just hasn’t mattered yet.

Baker got the call in a save situation for the third consecutive game and managed to once again slam the door. He struck out Anthony Volpe on seven pitches before issuing a four-pitch walk to Spencer Jones. He didn’t look particularly sharp early on, but Rays pitching coach Kyle Snyder was able to somehow get him back on track with a timely mound visit. Baker responded by getting Jazz Chisholm Jr. to ground into a force out before striking out Trent Grisham to end the series.

Baker got the call with Tampa Bay holding a three-run advantage entering the final frame. He got Spencer Jones and George Lombard Jr. to ground out harmlessly before coaxing a game-ending ground ball from Jazz Chisholm Jr. The 31-year-old All-Star stopper has closed out both Rays’ victories to open the best-of-five series.

Baker got the call to protect a narrow one-run advantage in the final frame following eight dominant frames from Rays ace Drew Rasmussen to open the best-of-five series. The 31-year-old All-Star stopper, who notched a career-high 41 saves during the regular season, struck out pinch-hitter Giancarlo Stanton before fanning Ben Rice and coaxing a game-ending ground ball from Cody Bellinger.

Ho-hum, Baker earned another easy save here against what’s been a lifeless Phillies lineup of late. It was his 30th consecutive converted save opportunity with his last misstep coming all the way back in mid-May. He will enter the playoffs as one of the league’s most trusted relievers and was one of the fantasy baseball MVPs this season.

Baker averaged 94.0 mph with his fastball tonight. That’s 2.4 mph off his season average and his second lowest mark of the year. He’s come in under 95 mph five times this month after doing so just twice in the first five months of the season. It hasn’t hurt him yet, but it should be a cause of some concern to the Rays ahead of the postseason, especially if they want to start asking him to come in with runners on and get more than three outs at a time.

Baker took the mound in the top of the ninth with the game tied 1-1. He worked around a double, with the runner caught stealing second, then stranded a second batter after Jarren Duran tripled. Baker would be in line for the win after the Rays walked it off in the bottom of the frame.

Baker’s save was his 40th of the season as his stellar breakout campaign continues. The 31-year-old right-hander had only four career saves entering the season. He just became the first Rays reliever with at least 40 saves since Alex Colomé in 2017. Baker has a 1.54 ERA this year. He’s come out of nowhere to be top closer in fantasy.

Baker clearly wasn’t feeling well, and it affected his pitching with two walks and no outs recorded before leaving. The good news is this isn’t arm-related, so there’s a good chance Baker is closing games for the Rays in the coming days. Tyler Wells — who converted Friday’s chance after Baker exited — would likely get the chance if he’s unavailable this weekend.

Baker has been one of the most reliable closers in baseball, but the right-hander walked a pair of batters before exiting the game with a trainer. Tyler Wells converted the save after Baker exited. There should be an update on the 31-year-old’s status shortly.

Baker was summoned in the top of the ninth to close out the game against the Padres with a one-run lead. He worked around one walk, striking out one batter to shut the door on San Diego for his MLB-leading 39th save.

Baker retired Kevin McGonigle on one pitch before hitting Dillon Dingler in an 0-2 count. After a Ben Malgeri single, the Tigers suddenly had the tying run at the plate with one out. Baker responded by striking out Zach McKinstry and Spencer Torkelson to end the game. It was his 38th save of the year, which leads all of baseball.

Baker gave up a solo homer to Colton Cowser to begin the ninth. It was worrisome after he took the loss in extra innings on Saturday, though that came with the ghost runner starting on second base. Baker then settled down and retired the side on 12 pitches, securing his league-leading 37th save of the season.

Make that 36 saves for Baker this year, which leads MLB and is four more than Riley O’Brien, who ranks second. It has been a tremendous season for the closer, who has a 1.44 ERA. Most of the offseason was spent wondering how Tampa Bay would split save chances among Griffin Jax, Garrett Cleavinger, and Edwin Uceta. While all three have dealt with injury, Baker seized the job early on. His success is a reminder of how tricky it can be to pinpoint a closer when a bullpen lacks an obvious candidate.

Baker was tasked with converting a multi-inning save opportunity for the first time this season, ironically against his former organization. He managed to secure the final two outs of the eighth inning with Tampa Bay leading by one run at the time. He came back out for the final frame and managed to work around a two-out single from Christian Encarnacion-Strand to preserve the win. The 31-year-old journeyman leads the majors with 35 saves in 38 opportunities while also compiling a microscopic 1.47 ERA and 55/16 K/BB ratio across 49 innings of work.

That’s a tough break for the AL Reliever of the Year candidate. Baker, the MLB saves leader with 34 in 37 tries, had gone 48 appearances without taking a loss this season.