According to numerous specialists, Fielding Independent Pitching, or FIP, is a much better way to assess and evaluate a pitcher’s performance than the more traditional Earned Run Average, or ERA. The latter is rather simplistic for today’s standards and takes defense into the equation, which the hurler can’t control.
FIP, on the other hand, considers things that the pitcher can control: walks, strikeouts, home runs, and hit-by-pitches. It essentially removes balls in play, as the hurler has little control over their fate.
The Cleveland Guardians happen to employ one of the most dominant pitchers in the league. No, we aren’t talking about Gavin Williams or Parker Messick, although they are rock-solid in their own right. We are referring to closer Cade Smith.
Smith experienced some struggles earlier in the season, to the point that some fans actually wanted him removed from the closer role. However, he has more than turned things around: he is looking more dominant than ever.
What Smith is doing is actually historic. That’s right: in the last ten seasons, including 2026, only four relief pitchers have posted a lower FIP than him:
2026 Mason Miller: 0.36 FIP
2020 Devin Williams: 0.86 FIP
2022 Edwin Diaz: 0.90 FIP
2020 Liam Hendricks: 1.14 FIP
2026 Cade Smith: 1.19 FIP
It’s important to note that Diaz’s 2022 campaign probably should get the most credit of all since it came over a larger sample, 62 innings. Smith, with 34 so far in 2026, has pitched more than Miller and the two 2020 standouts.
Miller’s run of dominance this year has been nothing short of amazing, as the aforementioned stats indicate, but Smith also has a top-five FIP season in the last 10 years so far.
It will be fascinating to see where Smith and Miller finish the year in the FIP department. They both seem destined to put up some mind-blowing numbers.
As for Smith, his 2.38 ERA is excellent, but it’s no match for his elite FIP. This tells us that when we remove defense from the equation, only Miller has been more dominant than him in MLB. He is, without a doubt, the best and most consistent reliever in the American League at the moment.
NEXT: Guardians Are Facing Critical Stretch That Could Change Trade Deadline Plans
