The Rays were on the way to a defeat that would open the AL East door a bit further. The Yankees were up two runs entering the seventh inning against the division rival Blue Jays. Cam Schlittler had survived six strong innings but needed to expend 96 pitches to get there.

It was time for Aaron Boone to call upon his three most trusted relievers to nail down the game, a trio who has been leaned on all year, has responded historically well, and figures to be the same combination that the manager dials up in October.

And so Friday, it was Brent Headrick — a 2025 waiver claim who could no longer crack the Twins 40-man roster — pitching a scoreless seventh. Paul Blackburn, a 32-year-old who pitched to a 4.97 ERA in his first nine seasons (nearly all as a starter), handled the scoreless eighth. David Bednar — previously a solid veteran closer known more for his guts than his stuff who has since become something more — locked down the ninth to save the game.

Consider Matt Blake among the pleasantly surprised that these three have become arguably the best bullpen troika in the game.