Josh Hader sets MLB record with 13 saves
One of the most remarkable closers in baseball is also one of the most under appreciated, but Milwaukee Brewers ace Josh Hader just keeps setting records.
Josh Hader did it. Again. Three days after becoming the second-fastest ever to reach the 500 stikeout milestone, he now has set another MLB record by notching up his 13th consecutive save.
In the Milwaukee Brewers’ 2-1 series opener victory over the Miami Marlins on Friday, JoshHader entered in the ninth inning and recorded three short, sweet outs. With that outing, Hader passed Lee Smith in 1994 for the Orioles and Jose Mesa in 2005 for the Pirates as the player with the most consecutive games to start a season with a save.
This also marked Hader’s 34th consecutive scoreless appearance, covering 32 2/3 innings, the longest active streak of any Major League pitcher.
Hader is having a cracking start to his career, possibly the best of any closer ever. At least, Craig Counsell thinks so. Back during Easter, Counsell was asked about Hader and said, “No reliever has had a better start to his career than Josh Hader in the history of the game. I’m not exaggerating. That’s a fact. I don’t think it’s really disputable.”
His numbers are incredible. He has struck out 44.4% of the batters that he has faced and has a 0.84 WHIP. Both of those numbers are the lowest in baseball history. And he is only four seasons into his career. As he continues to develop as a closer, he should refine and improve. And what a sight that will be.