By: Matt Rappa, managing editor 
PHILADELPHIA — Being the closer for the 2016 Philadelphia Phillies was a role not handed to right-hander Jeanmar Gomez right away.
In fact, it wasn't until the team's fifth game of the season in which he recorded his first save. Manager Pete Mackanin stuck with the 28-year-old for another save opportunity the following day, and Gomez has manned the back-end of the bullpen ever since.
Through 36 games, Gomez has successfully saved 14 out 15 opportunities, six of which began with one-run leads.
Gomez is on pace to record 63 saves this season, which would break the all-time single-season record, 62, set by Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim closer Francisco Rodriguez in 2008 — the same season the Phillies captured their second World Series championship in franchise history.
Both Rodriguez and Gomez recorded their 14 saves at almost the identical points in their respective seasons. Rodriguez was also 14-for-15 in save opportunities and entered in one more save opportunity than Gomez in which the team had a one-run lead.
The Angels were 35 games into the season in 2008 at this point, whereas the Phillies have completed 36 games thus far in 2016.
Could Gomez keep up his current pace and set the all-time record, as he is currently projected to accomplish? This is his first season in the role and there are unknown factors such as durability that could affect his performance later in the season.
However, Gomez will likely get a lot more save opportunities given the Phillies' strong pitching and the lack of offense they have displayed so far — in contrast to the Vladimir Guerrero, Garret Anderson and Torii Hunter-led Angels offense of 2008.
Rodriguez had 146 career saves through 332 career appearances entering the 2008 season. Gomez had one in 185 appearances entering this season.
Gomez — who currently leads all of Major League Baseball in saves by two — is on his way to become just the third Phillies relief pitcher since 2008 to be named to the National League All-Star Game roster, joining closers Jonathan Papelbon (2012, 2015) and Brad Lidge (2008).
The Phillies franchise record for saves in a single season is 45, set by Jose Mesa in 2002. To break the franchise and MLB records, Gomez would need 32 and 49 more saves, respectively, in the remaining 126 games of the season.
Time will tell if Gomez can remain durable as the season progresses.
