N.Y. Mets: Jeurys Familia Hits Half Century Mark

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Seizing a Golden Opportunity

NEW YORK METS: Jeurys Familia's 50th Consecutive Save is Fourth Longest Streak of All-Time.

Although Jeurys Familia is in his second full season as Closer, his 2014 season was just as busy.  In both 2014 and 2015 he made 76 appearances.

In 2015, Familia's 64 games finished led the league.  On ten occasions Terry Collins asked him to make four and five out saves, and twice more asked Familia to complete two full innings in a game.   To TC's credit, however, Familia exceeded a full inning just once from August through the regular season's end.  Collins instead ran up the bullpen phone bill, calling on Familia 16 times during the dog days of August - easily the most appearances he logged during any month of the season.

Familia is up to 45 appearances this season versus 43 by this time last year, and once again is leading the league with 44 games finished.  Yet, he's only been asked to attempt a four-out save just once (his 25th on June 24) all season.

Thanks are largely attributable to the emergence of Hansel Robles.  Addison Reed has been stellar since arriving in Flushing. Hansel, however, was still finding himself this time last year, but has now seemingly arrived.  At the very least, he gives the Mets three-deep depth in the late innings.  Hence, the physical demands on Familia have been lessened.

If Familia would just comply...

Last year, Jeurys walked 19 batters all season.  This year, Familia is just one away from tying that mark.  Naturally then, after finishing last season with an even 1.00 WHiP, this year his WHiP is upwards of 1.218 and growing.

In other words, Familia is creating his own fires, yet continues putting them all out - every one.

Jeurys Familia remains perfect in save opportunities this season.  His league leading 34th consecutive save without a blown opportunity came on July 22 against the Marlins in Miami, but not before causing Mets fans obligatory angst.

It was actually Jeurys Familia's 50th straight save without a blown opportunity dating back to last season, making it the fourth longest such streak of all-time.

Former L.A. Dodgers closer Eric Gagne owns the MLB record with 85 straight saves.