For the past three years or so, the Cleveland Guardians have bragged about having the best closer in all of baseball.
Emmanuel Clase posted the third-lowest ERA in MLB history last season at just 0.61, and he allowed a grand total of five earned runs across 74 games and 74.1 IP.
Now, he’s up to six runs and 14 hits allowed in seven appearances this season.
When asked about that, manager Stephen Vogt acknowledged that the Dominican hurler needed to get his groove and confidence back:
“I don’t know. It’s too early too tell. Emmanuel just needs to get his confidence back. He has to go out there and know he’s the best pitcher on the planet. And go right after these guys with his best stuff,” Vogt answered when asked if Clase is in a funk. “Right now, he’s getting hit a little bit. That’s the only thing that’s different.”
The 27-year-old has been far from his usual self this season.
He struggled in the postseason last year, especially against the New York Yankees in the ALCS, finishing that series with a 15.43 ERA after three appearances.
Perhaps that took a big toll on his confidence, or maybe he’s struggling because of all of the work he’s had to do over the past three seasons or so.
Whatever the case, the Guardians were supposed to have one of the best – if not the best – bullpens in the Majors this season, and this slow start to the campaign is a worrisome sign.
Clase is just too good to give up on him at this point in the campaign.
The team will most likely allow him to get back to being his usual self regardless of how ugly things get.
Then again, that could also be a double-edged sword, as more negative outings can only take a major toll on his already shattered confidence.
Hopefully, that won’t be the case.
NEXT: Analyst Believes Guardians Sent A Message After Dominant Homestand
