Will Jason Grilli Set The Saves Record?

Jason Grilli has been truly amazing as the Pirates closer, a role which he has never been in before in his MLB career. But, now on May 29th, Grilli has 21 saves in 21 opportunities, with an ERA of 1.14. He also has 37 strikeouts in only 23.2 innings of work. Grilli, who has been in the league since 2000, has never had an ERA below 2.48. But, last year, Grilli burst onto the scene as a setup man (2.91 ERA, 90 K/58.2 IP) and has looked up from there.

But, will Grilli be able to take down the saves record? If he doesn't record another save this month, Grilli will be on pace for 63 saves, just one more than the record of 62. This looks like a very improbable assignment, but the way everything is working out it may just happen.

Remember, Grilli may blow a save at some point, which makes it even harder to accomplish the "unbreakable" record. He also has to average 10.5 saves a month the rest of the way to break it. If the Pirates only play 25 games in a month, Grilli has to save nearly half the games to stay on pace for the record.

I'm rooting for history here, and hoping that Grilli can do the unbelieveable. But, numbers to come into play and the record of 62 saves seems so much further away than it might be. I think Grilli won't break the saves record, but may just be the second closer to surprass 60 saves in a season.

For now, Grilli needs to stay perfect. I hope he does.