On Saturday, the Cleveland Guardians defeated the Detroit Tigers in game 5 of the American League Division Series.
This trip to the American League Championship Series will be their first since 2016.
After losing ace pitcher Shane Bieber earlier in the season, the Guardians needed their bullpen to step up in the postseason.
One particular relief pitcher stepped up in a big way and broke an American League Division Series record.
According to Cleveland Guardians on ‘X,’ relief pitcher Cade Smith broke an ALDS record by striking out 12 of the 22 batters he faced.
Cade Smith is a menace.
In the ALDS, he faced 22 batters and struck out 12 of them. 😨#ForTheLand | #GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/lZQeyQCJKx
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) October 13, 2024
Smith appeared in 5 games in the American League Division Series and held a record of 1 win and 0 losses with a 1.42 earned run average and 12 strikeouts in 6.1 innings pitched.
The 12 strikeouts that Smith had is the most by a relief pitcher in ALDS history.
During the regular season, Smith appeared in 74 games and held a 1.91 earned run average with 103 strikeouts in 75.1 innings pitched.
Smith is a 25-year-old rookie for the Guardians this season, and he is making his presence known thus far in the postseason.
The Guardians will face the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series, and game 1 will begin on Monday.
Smith will likely be asked to come into some high-leverage situations in this series as he has shown the ability to be unphased by the big postseason stage.
NEXT: Guardians Owner Reacts To Team Making The ALCS
