At the midway point of last season, Cade Smith was a setup man in the Cleveland Guardians bullpen. Now, he has become a postseason star and is arguably the best closer in the majors.
It is quite a rapid rise for Smith, who has taken full advantage of the opportunity. After securing the Guardians’ 7-3 victory against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the ALCS on Monday, he and Cleveland took another step toward the World Series.
Pitching in each of the Guardians’ six playoff games, Smith is quietly dominating October, with just one earned run allowed in 7.2 innings.
“Cleveland Guardians closer Cade Smith only needed six pitches to cap a Game One victory over the Rays tonight. Line — 1.0(IP) 0H 0R 0ER 0BB 0SO (6 Pitches 6 Strikes). 2026 postseason: 7.2(IP) 2H 1ER 1BB 11SO 1.17 ERA,” Guardians Prospective posted.
Cleveland #Guardians closer Cade Smith only needed six pitches to cap a game one victory over the Rays tonight.
Line – 1.0(IP) 0H 0R 0ER 0BB 0SO
(6 Pitches 6 Strikes)
2026 post-season:
– 7.2(IP) 2H 1ER 1BB 11SO 1.17 ERA#StandGuard pic.twitter.com/hgpVXseYcO
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) October 13, 2026
Interestingly, Smith has just one save in those six appearances, after tying for the major-league lead with 41 during the regular season. That is because Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt has used him no matter the late-game situation, either trying to keep games close or with big leads against the Chicago White Sox in the ALDS, or to preserve the comeback win against the Rays.
The strategy has been questioned somewhat, especially after Smith failed to complete the Game 4 victory against the White Sox, leading to Gavin Williams making his first career relief appearance before starting Game 5. Neither pitcher seemed to be worse for wear, as Williams dominated Chicago in the deciding game, with Smith finishing it off.
It helps that Smith is so economical in getting outs. The 27-year-old needed just six pitches to get through the ninth inning against the Rays, which means he should be at full strength if needed in Game 2 on Tuesday.
Hunter Gaddis, who is now the Guardians’ primary setup man, has also appeared in all of Cleveland’s games this postseason, and he has arguably been even better than Smith. After pitching a scoreless seventh on Monday, he has not allowed a run in 5.1 innings, with one win, two holds, no walks, and seven strikeouts.
With Parker Messick and Williams set to start Games 2 and 3 for the Guardians, Smith will likely be called on over and over again, hopefully to protect more leads, as the best-of-7 series moves along.
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