On Thursday, the Cleveland Guardians appeared to be heading for a three-to-zero series deficit against the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series.
The Guardians were down five to three heading into the bottom of the ninth inning after Emmanuel Clase allowed back-to-back home runs by Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton in the eighth.
Clase came into the game in the eighth inning with the Guardians leading three to one before giving up the home runs.
The Guardians ended up winning the game in extra innings, but the question now is what to do about Clase in game four on Friday.
According to ESPN Cleveland on ‘X,’ Tony Rizzo says “Absolutely you’re going to put him back in.”
If the Guardians have the lead again tonight with Soto, Judge, and Stanton up, are you bringing Clase into the game? pic.twitter.com/ylalpaHtAE
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) October 18, 2024
Rizzo was asked if you should put Clase back in the same situation if it came around again on Friday in game four.
Most Guardians fans would probably agree to put Clase back in as his stats this year have been nothing short of dominant.
Clase pitched 74.1 innings in the regular season and had a 0.61 earned run average with 66 strikeouts and 47 saves.
It will be interesting to see how Guardians Manager Stephen Vogt uses Clase in game four if he even uses him at all.
The Guardians have a variety of dominant relievers in their bullpen, so we just might get to see firsthand the confidence level Vogt has in Clase.
NEXT: Analyst Notes Strong Performance Of 1 Guardians Reliever This Postseason
