In the 2010s, the Cleveland Guardians were one of the most consistently dominant teams in the American League.
They got many regular season wins, multiple division titles, and even a World Series appearance in which they were up 3-1 and could have won Game 7 several times.
Those teams had a brilliant bullpen led by right-hander Cody Allen.
Why is this relevant to the 2024 Guardians?
Well, Allen posted the franchise record for most career saves with 149 between 2012 and 2018.
Current Guardians relief ace Emmanuel Clase is getting closer to that franchise record, after notching his 147th save with the Guards on Tuesday.
“Emmanuel Clase now has 147 career saves as a Cleveland pitcher — 2nd in franchise history.
CLE Career Saves Leaders:
1. Cody Allen – 149
2. Emmanuel Clase – 147
3. Bob Wickman – 139
4. Doug Jones – 129
5. Chris Pérez – 124,” CLE Guardians Stats tweeted.
Emmanuel Clase now has 147 career saves as a Cleveland pitcher — 2nd in franchise history.
CLE Career Saves Leaders:
1. Cody Allen – 149
2. Emmanuel Clase – 147 ☄️
3. Bob Wickman – 139
4. Doug Jones – 129
5. Chris Pérez – 124pic.twitter.com/j0mvyWqBLA— CLE Guardians Stats (@CLE_STATS) August 14, 2024
When he logged his last save with the Guardians, Allen was 30, but after that, his career took a turn for the worse.
Clase is about to surpass his record and is just 26 years old.
That speaks volumes about his dominance in the ninth inning.
The cutter artist tied Ryan Helsley of the St. Louis Cardinals at the top of the league with 37 saves this season.
The difference? Helsley has done it with a 2.66 ERA, while Clase has a 0.64 mark.
The last earned run he allowed came on July 7: the All-Star Game had not been played yet.
There is a case to be made for Clase to get AL Cy Young votes.
Sure, a starter is usually more valuable, but it’s hard to think about a reliever who was so dominant over his peers.
Clase is closing in the Guardians’ record books, and we will all be there to witness his feat.
NEXT: Guardians Rookie Slugger Makes Statement For Increased Playing Time
