Within the postseason, when every part will get turned up a notch, the position of the nearer takes on much more significance. It is exhausting sufficient to win within the main leagues — and even tougher in October. When a staff has a lead late it’s completely crucial to complete it. That is why closers are both heralded or blamed, and why the profitable ones are remembered perpetually. With that because the backdrop, let’s take a look at the late-game relievers which have transformed essentially the most postseason saves for each staff.
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Predictably, longtime Yankees stopper Mariano Rivera has registered extra postseason saves than any pitcher in MLB historical past. The appropriate-hander was merely the perfect nearer baseball has ever had, and what made him so particular was the best way his efficiency stayed constant towards the higher competitors in October. In 96 profession playoff video games, Rivera pitched to an otherworldly 0.70 ERA with an 0.76 WHIP. Most related to this gallery, he transformed 42 of his 46 postseason save alternatives, which performed an enormous position within the Yankees successful 5 World Sequence titles.
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The Pink Sox postseason saves file is shared by a pair of right-handers who every gained World Sequence rings with the staff. Jonathan Papelbon was a fourth-round decide of the Sox in 2003, and went on to ship an extremely memorable profession with the membership. All 18 of Papelbon’s playoff outings got here in a Boston uniform, and he constantly dazzled in October, working to a 1.00 ERA throughout 27 innings and nailing down seven saves. Koji Uehara grew to become the Pink Sox nearer after Papelbon, and his playoff exploits have been much more eye-opening. He took the mound in October 15 occasions for the Pink Sox and allowed only one run in 15.2 innings. He transformed all seven of his postseason save probabilities for Boston and was one of many principal causes the Pink Sox gained the World Sequence in 2013.
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The Orioles definitely hope this can be a file that falls in comparatively brief order, however for now, left-hander Randy Myers stays their all-time postseason saves chief. Myers went on postseason runs with Baltimore in 1996 and 1997, and went an ideal 4 for 4 on save probabilities whereas pitching to a 2.51 ERA in 14.1 innings.
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The Blue Jays have been the premier staff in baseball in the course of the early Nineties, so it comes as no shock that their all-time postseason saves leaders come from that period. Righty Duane Ward spent nearly his complete profession in Toronto, and was quietly one of many American League’s greatest relievers. He took the ball within the playoffs for the Blue Jays 19 occasions, however admittedly was a bit up and down in October. His 4.74 postseason ERA is considerably up from his profession mark within the common season, however he did convert all 5 of his playoff save probabilities and earn a pair of World Sequence rings with the Jays. Fellow righty Tom Henke was a longtime teammate of Ward’s who loved higher consistency in October. In 15 postseason appearances for Toronto, Henke additionally went an ideal 5 for 5 on save probabilities, however his 1.83 ERA was considerably higher.
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The Tampa Bay Rays’ postseason saves file is a really modest three, and it is shared by a pair of righties who helped lead the Rays to an American League pennant 4 years in the past. Milwaukee, Wisc. native Pete Fairbanks transformed all three of his save probabilities in October 2020, and stays an essential a part of Tampa Bay’s reduction corps to at the present time. Diego Castillo, in the meantime, left Tampa halfway by way of the 2021 marketing campaign, however for almost 4 seasons was a essential a part of the Rays bullpen. Like Fairbanks, all three of his October saves got here in 2020, and in 16.2 complete playoff innings for the Rays he allowed simply two earned runs.
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The Cleveland Indians superior all the best way to the World Sequence in 2016 primarily on the energy of what was a completely elite bullpen. Whereas lefty Andrew Miller acquired a variety of the credit score for Cleveland’s success due to his work in the midst of video games, let’s not neglect the man who then got here in within the ninth inning. Proper-hander Cody Allen appeared in 10 video games for the Indians throughout that ’16 postseason and didn’t permit a single run over 13.2 innings. He nailed down all six of his save probabilities and added one other save within the ALDS the next October. His seven playoff saves stay a Cleveland file, however that is one the membership would like to see its present nearer, Emmanuel Clase, break sooner reasonably than later.
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The 2024 White Sox infamously set a brand new file for losses in a single season, however there was a time the place the staff was a authentic postseason contender. The newest October success Chicago loved got here in 2005, when it ran by way of the American League playoffs and in the end defeated the Astros within the World Sequence. The White Sox’s nearer on the time was righty Bobby Jenks, who was glorious that postseason, pitching to a 2.25 ERA and nailing down 4 saves. He added a fifth playoff save three years later.
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The Tigers gained the American League pennant in 2006, and an enormous purpose why was the dominance of Todd Jones on the finish of video games that October. In seven appearances, the righty didn’t permit a single run over 6.2 innings, whereas surrendering simply three baserunners and changing all 4 of his save probabilities. Fellow right-hander Jose Valverde is tied with Jones for the Tigers’ postseason saves lead, however the month of October was far much less sort to him. In 10 playoff innings for Detroit, Valverde pitched to a 13.50 ERA and served up 4 lengthy balls.
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Kansas Metropolis earned back-to-back American League pennants in 2014 and 2015, and in ’15 gained its first World Sequence title since 1985. One of many Royals’ calling playing cards throughout that period was their spectacular late-inning reduction. Nearer Greg Holland was injured in the course of the ’15 run, however merely couldn’t have executed any extra in 2014. In 11 postseason outings that October, the righty delivered a 0.82 ERA with an an identical 0.82 WHIP, whereas holding opponents to a .105 batting common and putting out 15 hitters in 11 innings. He transformed all seven of his save probabilities, and people seven stay essentially the most in Royals playoff historical past.
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Righty Rick Aguilera earned a World Sequence ring early in his profession with the Mets, however it was in Minnesota the place he developed right into a star. The BYU product was an all-star in three straight seasons with the Twins, and was one of many driving forces behind Minnesota’s World Sequence win in 1991. That October, he appeared in seven video games and allowed only one run in 8.1 innings, whereas nailing down all 5 of his save probabilities.
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Talking of former Twins relievers. Righty Ryan Pressly got here up with Minnesota in 2013, and whereas he was a very good pitcher for the Twins for a number of years, his profession actually took off following a 2018 commerce to Houston. With the Astros, Pressly developed into an all-star, and because of Houston’s annual success of late, he is gotten an abundance of alternatives in October. In 46 complete postseason outings for the Astros, Pressly has pitched to a 2.22 ERA with a 1.03 WHIP. He is struck out 58 hitters in 44.2 innings, allowed only one dwelling run, and nailed down all 14 of his save probabilities. He earned a World Sequence ring with Houston in 2022.
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Solely 12 pitchers in main league historical past recorded extra saves than Troy Percival, and it is actually a disgrace that in his 14-year profession he solely received an opportunity to pitch within the postseason as soon as. Thankfully, he made that one October run depend. In 9 outings in the course of the 2002 playoffs, Percival pitched to a 2.79 ERA with an 0.93 WHIP. He surrendered only a .216 batting common towards, struck out greater than a hitter/inning, and transformed all seven of his save probabilities. Percival and the Angels would go on to win the 2002 World Sequence.
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Corridor of Famer Dennis Eckersley was named the MVP of the American League in 1992 for his work as a late-inning reliever, which I consider is extremely indicative of simply how dominant he was at his craft. The Oakland, CA native got here up together with his hometown A’s as a starter, however as soon as he moved to the bullpen it was primarily over for opposing hitters. Most related to this gallery, he was constantly glorious in October. In 20 playoff outings for the Athletics he pitched to a stellar 2.38 ERA, and transformed all 11 of his save alternatives. Eckersley and the A’s gained the World Sequence in 1989.
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Seattle has lengthy been a desired location for Japanese stars coming to the foremost leagues, and for right-hander Kazuhiro Sasaki, coming to the Mariners was a superb marriage from the beginning. Sasaki pitched 4 seasons with the M’s, changing 129 common season saves and pitching to a stellar 3.14 profession ERA. Seattle made the postseason twice throughout his time with the membership, and in October he was an ideal 4 for 4 on save probabilities and allowed simply two earned runs in eight innings.
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The Rangers gained two straight American League pennants in 2010 and 2011, and whereas they weren’t capable of recover from the final word hump and win the World Sequence, nearer Neftali Feliz was to not blame. Feliz made 18 complete appearances throughout Texas’ back-to-back October runs, and pitched to a unbelievable 1.93 ERA throughout 18.2 innings. Opponents managed only a .131 batting common towards him, he struck out 23 hitters, and most related to this gallery, he notched seven saves — which stays a Rangers postseason file.
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Jeurys Familia was a starter for many of his minor league profession, however within the huge leagues the Mets shifted him to the bullpen and finally to the nearer’s position — which he took to instantly. Between 2015 and 2016, Familia nailed down 94 saves for New York, together with a membership file 51 in ’16. He was particularly glorious in the course of the Mets’ run to a Nationwide League pennant in 2015. In 12 outings that October, the righty transformed 5 saves and pitched to a 0.61 ERA throughout 14.2 frames.
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The Braves have been the Nationwide League’s most dominant staff in the course of the Nineties, and to at the present time we clearly nonetheless hear fairly a bit in regards to the Atlanta beginning employees of that period. However I do not assume almost sufficient consideration or credit score is given to the man who would are available on the finish of video games for these Braves groups, right-handed nearer Mark Wohlers. Wohlers pitched in 38 playoff video games for Atlanta between ’91-’97, and labored to a 2.15 ERA in 37.2 innings. He was an ideal 9 for 9 on save probabilities, struck out nicely over a hitter/inning, and helped the Braves win the World Sequence in 1995.
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Righty Brad Lidge was coming off — by his requirements — a pair of subpar seasons with the Astros when he was traded to Philadelphia in November 2007. And he’ll be the primary to inform you that coming to the Metropolis of Brotherly Love helped rejuvenate his profession. Lidge was the Phillies’ nearer for 4 seasons, through which he reestablished himself as an all-star, gained Comeback Participant of the Yr, and earned the DHL Supply Man of the Yr award. Within the playoffs, he was typically cash for Philadelphia, nailing down all 12 of his save alternatives, and enjoying a number one position within the Phillies’ 2008 World Sequence championship.
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It is fairly humorous that righty Ugueth Urbina shares the Marlins postseason saves file contemplating he solely pitched in 33 common season video games for the group. Miami acquired Urbina on the ’03 commerce deadline, and whereas he pitched nicely down the stretch as a setup man, a bigger position awaited in October. In the course of the Marlins’ run to their second World Sequence title, Urbina received an opportunity to shut, and nailed down 4 saves whereas pitching to a 3.46 ERA throughout 13 innings. He shares this file with fellow righty Robb Nen, who was the Miami stopper in the course of the staff’s first World Sequence win in 1997. That October, Nen struggled a bit, working to a 4.15 ERA in eight outings, however he did convert all 4 of his save probabilities.
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Daniel Hudson remains to be an lively reliever with the Dodgers, and he is definitely hoping extra postseason success awaits over the subsequent month. However for now, it is honest to say that the top of Hudson’s profession got here in October 2019 when he helped lead the Nationals to the franchise’s first World Sequence title. Washington acquired Hudson from Toronto on the commerce deadline that summer season, and he pitched excellently down the stretch to assist lead the staff to an NL Wild Card berth. He then made 9 postseason appearances for the Nats, working to a 3.72 ERA in 9.2 innings, and changing all 4 of his save alternatives.
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The Cardinals’ postseason saves file is shared by a pair of righties who every spent greater than a half dozen years working in late-inning reduction in St. Louis. Jason Isringhausen joined the Cardinals as a free-agent forward of the 2002 marketing campaign, and was constantly a dominant presence for the staff on the finish of video games. He pitched in 19 postseason video games with St. Louis, working to a 2.78 ERA and changing eight of his 9 save probabilities. Iona product Jason Motte took a special path to the Cardinals’ nearer’s job, as he was a Nineteenth-round decide of the staff who beat the percentages to turn out to be a key contributor. Motte additionally pitched in 19 playoff video games for the Redbirds, and turned in a 2.08 ERA with an 0.96 WHIP in 21.2 innings. He secured all eight of his save alternatives and earned a World Sequence ring with the Cardinals in 2011.
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The Cubs and their followers went by way of a well-documented, more-than-century-long World Sequence drought that was lastly resulted in 2016, and left-handed nearer Aroldis Chapman had rather a lot to do with that. Chapman spent just some months within the Windy Metropolis, however they have been memorable, as after coming over on the commerce deadline he was every part the Cubs wanted him to be and extra. That October, he pitched in 16 playoff video games for Chicago, nailing down 4 saves and handing over a 3.45 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 15.2 innings. Righty Wade Davis took over because the Cubs’ nearer the next season, and in addition helped lead the staff to the postseason. Like Chapman, he transformed 4 postseason saves, however the 2017 staff was not capable of go on a deep October run and received bounced from the playoffs early.
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The Brewers’ postseason saves file is likely one of the extra seemingly ones to be damaged later this fall. Righty John Axford at present holds the staff’s all-time mark with a modest three, all of which got here in 2011. The present Milwaukee staff, nonetheless, is likely one of the greatest within the Nationwide League and has already clinched the NL Central. The Brewers absolutely intend to embark upon a deep October run, and in the event that they do, there’s a sturdy chance that their nearer, Devin Williams, will nail down greater than three saves.
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Southpaw Randy Myers was on this record earlier with the Orioles and it is fairly spectacular that he is the all-time saves chief for 2 totally different franchises. Myers solely performed two seasons in Cincinnati however left an enduring impression, and was a key element on the final Reds World Sequence winner. In the course of the 1990 postseason, he appeared in seven video games and didn’t give up a single run in 8.2 frames. He struck out 10 hitters, held opponents to a .138 batting common towards, and most related to this gallery, transformed all 4 of his save probabilities.
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The Pirates haven’t loved almost sufficient success of late, however Pittsburgh stays an unimaginable baseball city and this can all the time be probably the most storied franchises within the Nationwide League. The final sustained run of competition the Pirates went on seemingly got here all the best way again within the Seventies — the period when righty Dave Giusti was pitching behind the Bucs bullpen. Giusti made 16 October appearances with Pittsburgh, pitching to a 4.87 ERA and changing 5 saves in 20.1 innings. He helped the Pirates win the World Sequence in 1971.
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Proper-hander Kenley Jansen remains to be very a lot an lively main league nearer, and on the time of writing at present has 27 saves for the Boston Pink Sox on the 2024 common season. Jansen spent the primary twelve years of his profession in Los Angeles with the Dodgers, nonetheless, and his status as one of many recreation’s greatest stoppers was inbuilt southern California. Enjoying with the Dodgers afforded Jansen the chance to pitch in October in 9 straight seasons, and as a rule he rose to the event when the video games mattered most. In 57 playoff appearances for L.A., Jansen pitched to a 2.13 ERA in 63.1 innings, whereas changing a team-record 19 saves and serving to the Dodgers win the 2020 World Sequence.
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Righty Robb Nen joins the aforementioned Randy Myers as the one two pitchers to look on this record for a number of groups. Nen spent extra time in San Francisco than he did with the Marlins, and it was by the Bay the place he blossomed into among the finest closers within the recreation. He made three all-star groups with the Giants, transformed greater than 37 saves in every of his 5 years with the staff, and was capable of go on a pair of postseason runs. In 12 playoff appearances for San Francisco, Nen was spectacular, permitting only a single run in 11.1 innings. He nailed down seven saves, and was one the first causes the Giants gained the Nationwide League pennant in 2002.
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Trevor Hoffman was one of many best late-inning relievers our sport has ever seen, and one of many true disappointments from his profession was the truth that in 18 years he was solely capable of pitch in October 4 occasions. Hoffman was for essentially the most half capable of reap the benefits of his postseason alternatives, predictably changing all 4 of his save probabilities, putting out greater than a batter/inning, and serving to the Padres win the Nationwide League pennant in 1998. He’s tied for San Diego’s all-time playoff saves file with lefty Josh Hader, who was considerably of a employed gun. The Friars traded for him on the deadline in 2022, and within the playoffs that fall he was spectacular, throwing 5.1 scoreless innings whereas permitting simply two baserunners and nailing down 4 saves.
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The Diamondbacks postseason saves mark was established final October when the staff went on an unlikely run all the best way to the Nationwide league pennant. Righty Paul Sewald didn’t pitch significantly nicely within the postseason, permitting six earned runs on 9 hits in 10 innings — making for an unpleasant 5.40 ERA — however he did convert six of his seven save probabilities. That moved him forward of Byung-Hyun Kim, who had beforehand held the Arizona file with three.
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The Colorado Rockies haven’t loved a ton of playoff success throughout their historical past, however they did have one extremely memorable season in 2007. Proper-hander Manny Corpas spent six of his seven main league seasons with the Rockies, and whereas he was comparatively unremarkable for many of his profession, he was a major purpose for the staff’s success in ’07. That 12 months, Corpas pitched to a career-best 2.08 ERA and transformed 19 saves — and he was capable of carry that stage of efficiency into October. Within the playoffs that fall, Corpas allowed only one run in 10.1 innings, whereas nailing down 5 saves. He helped catapult the Rockies into their first-ever World Sequence, which they might in the end lose to the Pink Sox.