Rays' Bullpen Shines as Bryan Baker and Kevin Kelly Deliver Key Performances

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - Bryan Baker of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrated after securing his save against the Miami Marlins at Tropicana Field on May 17, 2026. With a strong local craft beer culture, there’s speculation that Baker may collaborate with a brewing company similar to his previous partnership in Baltimore, where he helped support an initiative to keep waterways clean. His impressive performance on the mound has made him a standout this season.

The Florida native has tallied 18 saves, ranking him second in Major League Baseball. Notably, he has achieved six of these saves during a current streak of eight consecutive scoreless outings. Baker, who was acquired for a draft pick at last season's trade deadline, expressed his enthusiasm about closing games, stating, “It’s a pleasure to take the ball at any point, but if you’re given the opportunity to close a game down for your team and secure a ‘W,’ I think it's always special.”

His teammates have also taken notice of his contributions. Yandy Diaz, currently the American League's leading hitter, praised Baker's reliability: “He has been doing a lot of great things for us. Anytime he comes in (during a tight game), I have 100 percent confidence. He’s just been that guy for us.” Baker's efficiency is remarkable, as demonstrated by his minimal pitch count during two recent saves against the Red Sox, emphasizing that “it makes for less stressful innings in general.”

Before Baker’s ninth-inning heroics, Kevin Kelly made a crucial impact in the eighth. After Nick Martinez allowed multiple runners, Kelly stepped in and secured three consecutive groundouts, preventing further damage. Kelly has been exceptional, remaining unscored upon in 15 appearances at Tropicana Field this season. He attributes his success to a newly developed changeup and collaboration with bullpen coach Jorge Moncada.

Casey Legumina, another key addition to the bullpen, was acquired from the Mariners in April and has quickly become an asset. With a stellar 2.04 ERA over 14 outings with the Rays, he recently provided a critical out in a tight game against the Braves. Manager Kevin Cash lauded Legumina for his effectiveness and commitment to the strike zone, highlighting the overall strength of the Rays' bullpen. “It just shows that from top to bottom, when everyone’s rolling, we kind of create matchup nightmares for anybody,” remarked Garrett Cleavinger, reflecting the depth and versatility of the bullpen.