Baker issued a walk and allowed no hits in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in Game 5 of the ALCS at Cleveland on Sunday. He did not record a strikeout.
The right-hander walked leadoff batter Chase DeLauter to open the ninth but quickly locked in from there, as he needed just six pitches to retire the next three hitters and secure a 3-2 series lead for Tampa Bay. That's now 35 consecutive successful save conversions for Baker, who has fired six scoreless innings and allowed just three baserunners in six postseason appearances.
Baker struck out one while retiring all three batters he faced in the ninth inning to earn the save in Game 2 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Tuesday.
The right-hander entered with a 3-1 lead and closed things out with little fanfare, as he needed just eight pitches to even the series at one game apiece. It's the fourth save of the playoffs for Baker, who has yet to allow a hit and has a 5:1 K:BB across four innings. He's now converted his past 34 save opportunities, with his last blown save coming May 13 in Toronto.
Baker gave up no hits and one walk in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in Game 3 of the ALDS against the Yankees on Wednesday.
Tampa Bay may have swept New York, but the series was hardly a breeze as Baker was needed for the save in all three games. The right-hander issued a one-out walk Wednesday -- the first baserunner he allowed in the series -- but retired the next two batters to close out the ALDS. Including the playoffs, Baker has converted 33 consecutive save chances and is unscored upon in his past 10 appearances.
Baker earned the save by retiring all three batters he faced during the ninth inning of Game 2 of the ALDS against the Yankees on Monday. He did not record a strikeout.
The right-hander finished up a 1-0 shutout in the series opener Saturday and needed just nine pitches to retire the side Monday to give the Rays a 2-0 series lead. Baker entered the playoffs having converted 30 consecutive save opportunities, and he's added two more to his ledger in Tampa Bay's first two games of the postseason.
Rays' Bryan Baker: Earns save against Philadelphia
Rotowire
Baker collected the save in Friday's 2-0 win over the Phillies, tossing one scoreless inning without allowing a hit or walk.
Baker needed only 11 pitches (eight strikes) to get through the ninth inning, with five of those pitches coming on the final out. The veteran closer has earned the win or save five of his last six outings, and his 41 saves are tied with Cade Smith for most in the majors this season. Baker has a 1.44 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 63:22 K:BB over 62.1 innings.
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Rays' Bryan Baker: Bags another win Saturday
Rotowire
Baker (4-2) picked up the win in Saturday's 2-1 victory over the Red Sox, giving up two hits in a scoreless ninth inning. He didn't walk or strike out a batter.
The right-hander still leads the majors with 40 saves, but Baker has been the pitcher of record during the Rays' recent spate of walk-off victories as well -- three of his four wins on the season have come in his last four appearances. Through 60.1 innings, Baker's delivered a 1.49 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 62:21 K:BB in a breakout campaign.
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Rays' Bryan Baker: Nabs third win
Rotowire
Baker (3-2) picked up the win Tuesday, working a perfect ninth inning without a strikeout in a 2-1 victory over the A's.
With the game tied 1-1 and a save situation off the table at home, Baker was called in for the top of the ninth and needed just seven pitches (three strikes) to set down the 2-3-4 hitters for the A's. The right-hander then got rewarded when Junior Caminero walked it off with a solo shot. Baker has been scored upon in only one of his last nine appearances, picking up two wins and three saves during that stretch with a 1.08 ERA and 0.96 WHIP, but a lackluster 6:5 K:BB.
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Rays' Bryan Baker: Picks up MLB-high 40th save
Rotowire
Baker threw 1.1 scoreless innings for the save Saturday against the Astros, allowing one hit and no walks. He struck out one.
Baker recorded more than three outs Saturday for just the second time this season. The All-Star closer continues to be dominant, giving up only three earned runs in 27 appearances since the start of July. He has a 1.54 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 62:21 K:BB with a major-league-leading 40 saves (43 opportunities) over 58.1 innings in 2026.
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