Cade Smith has performed better than anyone may have expected in his first full season as the Cleveland Guardians’ closer. The 27-year-old has become one of the best relievers in the game and leads the majors with 24 saves.
Smith failed in his first attempt to earn No. 25 when he took a walk-off loss to the Chicago White Sox after allowing two ninth-inning runs on Monday. It was his latest outing of more than three outs, which is indicative of how much Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt is relying on him.
Speaking to Cleveland.com, Vogt revealed the key to Smith’s breakout season, crediting it to his ability to challenge hitters on an important part of the plate.
“According to Guardians manager Stephen Vogt, Smith’s willingness to challenge hitters inside is a major reason opponents have struggled to square up his arsenal. Smith entered Monday leading Major League Baseball with 24 saves and carrying a 1.44 ERA over his last 23 appearances. When a pitcher consistently establishes the inner half of the plate, Vogt said it changes the way hitters see everything else. He said Smith has a knack for getting hitters to expand their concept of the strike zone on the inside part of the plate,” Joe Noga wrote.
Before Monday’s loss, which was his first of the season, Smith had not given up two runs in an appearance since March 30. He has just two blown saves in his 33 appearances and posted 21 saves in his previous 24 outings.
Most importantly, Cleveland has won 30 of the games the right-hander has pitched in, which is almost 75 percent of its 41 victories this season. Unfortunately, two of those losses have come in his past five outings.
As a sign of potential fatigue heading toward the midway point of the season, Smith has walked four batters in his past three appearances. He had just six walks all season before that.
That speaks volumes about Smith’s ability to command the strike zone, which is based on his ability to pitch inside. It has helped him to record 54 strikeouts in his 35.2 innings, with opponents batting .229 against him.
Smith was thrust into the role last July when Emmanuel Clase was banned because of an MLB gambling investigation. Since then, he has 37 total saves in his past 61 appearances.
With Cleveland’s tendency to play close games, Smith is arguably the most important pitcher on the staff, as the Guardians need to secure every win they can in a tight pennant race.
NEXT: Stephen Vogt Stays Firm On Catchers Calling Pitches For Guardians
