Even during a four-game losing streak, and a cold stretch when the Cleveland Guardians dropped six out of eight games, a bright spot began to emerge. Closer Cade Smith started to turn things around after a rough beginning to the 2026 campaign.
He has earned a save in both of Cleveland’s back-to-back victories that ended its season-high slide. In fact, the right-hander has been excellent for almost a full month.
As shown by Guardians Prospective, Smith is showing encouraging signs after a shaky start to the season, with an 0.97 ERA in his last nine appearances.
“Cleveland Guardians closer Cade Smith picked up his 8th save of the season tonight vs the A’s. Line – 1.1(IP) 0H 0R 0ER 0BB 1SO (22 Pitches 13 Strikes). Last 9 appearances: 9.1(IP) 10H 1ER 1BB 10SO 0.97 ERA,” Guardians Prospective wrote.
Cleveland #Guardians closer Cade Smith picked up his 8th save of the season tonight vs the A's.
Line – 1.1(IP) 0H 0R 0ER 0BB 1SO
(22 Pitches 13 Strikes)
Last 9 appearances:
– 9.1(IP) 10H 1ER 1BB 10SO 0.97 ERA#GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/upbSNpuI9r
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) May 2, 2026
On Friday against the Athletics, Smith earned his first four-out save of the year. After center fielder Steven Kwan preserved the lead with a highlight-reel catch to end the bottom of the seventh inning, the Athletics mounted another rally in the eighth, helped by an error by Cleveland shortstop Brayan Rocchio.
With runners on first and third, Erik Sabrowski struck out Shea Langeliers for the second out. Smith was summoned from the bullpen to face left-handed hitter Nick Kurtz, and he struck him out swinging on a full count to end the inning.
Smith then needed 16 pitches to retire the side in order in the ninth, securing the Guardians’ 8-5 win. On Wednesday, he authored a 12-pitch ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays to complete a 3-1 victory.
He now has five saves in his past six outings after earning just three in his first nine. During that slow start, his ERA was as high as 9.00, but it is now down to 3.86.
Fortunately, the Guardians have won the game 14 times in Smith’s 15 appearances. But that also means they are 3-15 in games he does not pitch, leaving them just one game over .500 but still in first place in the AL Central.
In his first season as a full-time closer, an adjustment period was to be expected for Smith, and it looks like he has been able to find his footing after just one month.
NEXT: Guardians Reliever Is Struggling To Return To Form After Injury
