TORONTO — It took until one game past the regular season’s true midpoint, and a valiant effort in a hostile environment, for Rangers manager Skip Schumaker to publicly spill the team’s worst-kept secret.

He correctly identified left-handed pitcher Jacob Latz as what he is. 

It was the first time that Schumaker, who as recently as the day prior said that he hasn’t “used the closer term” this season, officially denoted Latz as the club’s ninth-inning specialist. There was hardly any mystery or intrigue left, but given how the 30-year-old pitched in front of 41,689 riled up road fans, there wasn’t a better time to acknowledge what his performances already have. 

Latz pitched a scoreless ninth inning after the Blue Jays scored four the frame prior to swing the game’s momentum back in their favor. He walked  leadoff hitter Brandon Valenzuela — and was charged with a pitch clock violation — on five pitches before he induced two pop outs and a fly out to squash any rally effort.

“It felt like the momentum was heavily shifting their way,” Latz said. “Then the way that the ninth started, a lot of doubt could creep in, but fortunately, I didn’t let it.”

He’s had little to doubt this season in his new-look role. Latz, who lost out on the fifth starter job in camp but was quickly transitioned into a high-leverage reliever role, is 16 for 18 in save opportunities and owns a 1.85 ERA in 35 games. His eight multiple-inning saves lead baseball this season, his 0.71 WHIP leads all American League relief pitchers and his 1.2 WAR ranks third per FanGraphs. It’s created a legitimate All-Star push for the former fifth-round pick, one that, when suggested to teammates, is promptly validated.

“Absolutely,” right-handed pitcher Nathan Eovaldi said when asked if Latz should be an All-Star this season. “What he’s been able to do has been outstanding. Tonight, last night, he threw a lot of pitches last night, and then for him to be able to come in tonight and navigate that situation is big for us. It’s one of those tough things, too, where he was starting at times, his arm was built up and he’s the closer now. An All-Star closer at that.”