Mets closer Jeurys Familia has allowed only one hit and one walk in 6.2 scoreless innings this postseason. His three saves are tied for the most in Mets postseason history.
He notched his third save of four or more outs in Game 1 of the NLCS. The last NL reliever to have back-to-back saves of four or more outs was Jason Motte with the Cardinals in Games 3 and 5 of the 2011 NLCS vs. Milwaukee. Familia’s three saves of four or more outs are the most in team postseason history.
On Saturday night, Matt Harvey commended Familia for how he shut the door on the Cubs after he left the game in the eighth inning, “In my mind he is the best closer in the game.
Manager Terry Collins defended his constant use of Familia multiple innings at a time, saying: “I’m not trying to. It’s just we’ve got pretty good starting pitching, and if they can get deep into the game — you’ve got what I think is one of the best closers in baseball. If you can get your starters to give you eight, and turn the ball over to him, I like our chances.”
Collins also said that Familia may be unavailable to pitch in Game 2 tonight.
“I don’t know, maybe Jeurys tomorrow night will need a night off and we can close with Clip and set up with Addison. We’ve got options down there…I’m hoping Noah tomorrow goes deep in the game. That’s the perfect scenario. Sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn’t, but when it does, I think you’ve got to go to it.”
Familia has been one of the team’s most valuable players this season, finishing third in the majors with 43 saves which also tied the club’s single-season save record with Armando Benitez who also had 43 saves in 2001.
