Most people thought that the Cleveland Guardians were done once Emmanuel Clase was placed on leave due to an MLB gambling investigation.
Clase was tangled up in the same scandal that also cost them Luis L. Ortiz, and neither pitcher made it back this season.
Nevertheless, the Guardians were able to weather that storm, and Cade Smith had plenty to do with that.
The young reliever has been lights out, but that shouldn’t be a surprise to anybody at this point.
As shown by Guardians Prospective, Smith has held a special place among MLB relief pitchers since last season.
He’s No. 1 in fWAR (5.4) and FIP (1.67); No. 2 in innings pitched (149.0) and SO/BB (5.75); No. 3 in SO/BB% (29.0 percent) and HR/9 (0.30); No. 7 in SO% (35.1 percent) and WHIP (0.95); No. 8 in ERA (2.42); and No. 9 in SO/9 (12.50).
Cleveland #Guardians closer Cade Smith's rankings amongst all MLB relief pitchers (100+ IP) since the start of the 2024 season.
1) fWAR 5.4
1) FIP 1.67
2) IP 149.0
2) SO/BB 5.75
3) SO/BB% 29.0%
3) HR/9 0.30
7) WHIP 0.95
7) SO% 35.1%
8) ERA 2.42
9) SO/9 12.50#GuardsBall— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) October 1, 2025
Smith looked ready to embrace a bigger role, but he wouldn’t have gotten the opportunity to close games with Clase there.
Of course, every MLB team would want a closer of Clase’s caliber, especially in the playoffs.
But this has been a smooth transition for manager Stephen Vogt, and though only in his second season, Smith looks like a veteran out there.
The Guardians’ bullpen has been very good for years, and it played a huge part in their late surge to the AL Central title this season.
Now, they will have to hope that Smith can maintain his momentum throughout the postseason.
NEXT: Guardians Get Called Out For Questionable Lineup Decisions In Game 1
