Glen Perkins Named to the AL All-Star Roster

For the third straight season Minnesota Twins closer, Glen Perkins will represent the Twins in the All-Star Game.

The day after the All-Star Game starters were announced the rest of the roster was announced Monday evening. To nobody’s surprise, Perkins was named to the roster.

Perkins has been the best closer in baseball through the first half of the season. Perkins leads the American League in saves with 27. His 27 saves has him in a tie with Pittsburgh Pirates closer, Mark Melancon for the lead in both the American and National League.

The Twins closer is a perfect 27 for 27 in save opportunities. He is one save away from breaking Joe Nathan’s franchise record for consecutive saves.

The southpaw joins Johan Santana and Rick Aguilera as the only Twins pitchers to be named to three straight All-Star Games. Perkins also joins Aguilera and Nathan as the only Twins closers to be named to three All-Star Games.

In last year’s Midsummer Classic, the Minnesota native picked up the save at Target Field.

Perkins is on pace to record 44 saves this season, which would be a career-high. This season marks the first time since Perkins became the closer in 2012 that the Twins are in the middle of a playoff race and Perkins has been lights out.