New York Mets

Mets: Familia on blazing track after setting team's single season saves record

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Entering September, Mets closer Jeurys Familia‘s season is a representation of his astronomical career rise.

For a franchise that has housed closers such as John Franco, Jesse Orosco, Tug McGraw, and Billy Wagner, one name now stands alone in New York Mets history: Jeurys Familia.

The 26-year-old tied the team record previously held by Armando Benitez for most saves in a season in 2015. This year, he surpassed that mark before the month of September, with his 44th save on Wednesday.

Familia has made a habit of making things interesting and that’s come through at many points this year. However, when he’s seemingly backed into a corner, that sinker becomes more devastating and he finds a way to lock down the save.

True, his WHIP has jumped from 1.00 last year to 1.20 this season. To date, Familia has walked four more batters than he did in ’15 with 15.2 fewer innings logged.

The great equalizer for Familia has been the double play ball that his sinker can induce. Opposing batters have grounded into a double play 10 times against Familia this season. That is tied for the league lead among regular closers with Jeanmar Gomez and Sam Dyson.

It’s a recipe that has also helped the Dominican Republic native vault his way like a rocket up the Mets’ all-time list in saves. He currently sits in sixth with 93 saves and at this rate could catch Wagner for fifth by the end of the year.

Familia is eight saves behind Wagner and still has a long way to go to catch Franco’s franchise record of 276 saves. At this rate, though, he’ll get there in between four to five years.

Both Addison Reed and Familia have done a very effective job of shortening up the game and taking pressure off the starting rotation.

Combined, they have formed perhaps the strongest late-inning duo in the National League. With Familia’s ability to pitch in the highest pressure situations as well, that serves great for the playoff push the Mets are attempting to make this month.

It has been a lightning fast ascension for Familia, equaling the velocity of one of his power sinkers. With his strong build and still young age, Mets fans are looking forward to hopefully several more dominant years ahead and maybe the eventual franchise record holder for saves.