Since the 2024 magical postseason run, the Cleveland Guardians have played 20 games in October. Reliever Cade Smith has played in 18 of them. No, that’s not a mistake or a typo.
Smith is, to the Guardians’ bullpen, what Parker Messick and Gavin Williams are for the rotation, or what Jose Ramirez is for the lineup. He is indispensable, irreplaceable. He is, like Thanos, inevitable, but he is rarely defeated, as it happened to the fictional character.
If the Guardians are going to beat the Tampa Bay Rays and advance to the World Series, Smith will have to pitch a lot of innings. Fortunately, after not being used in Game 2 and enjoying a day off on Wednesday, he is well rested for what’s about to come next.
“We talked before the playoffs even started,” manager Stephen Vogt said, per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. “He said, ‘Whenever you need me, I’ll be ready in whatever role you need me.’ He wants to help us win games. I probably would like for him to not pitch in a game, but at the same time it’s probably not going to work out that way.”
Vogt hasn’t been afraid to use Smith for more than just three outs in the 2026 postseason. He has been one of the most dominant relievers in the league for a while, and he has gotten even better when the lights are brighter, with a 1.17 ERA in 7.2 innings this October. He has walked just one hitter while striking out 11.
In his postseason career, Smith boasts a brilliant 2.14 ERA in 21 frames, with 31 punchouts. He has been a blessing for the team and has basically shortened games for the opposition with his ruthless efficiency.
If Vogt needs Smith to get four, five, or even six outs in a tight game during the series against the Rays, don’t even think for a second that he will hesitate, even if he pitched the day before. He’ll be out there helping the Guardians protect even the slimmest of leads.
Smith himself is open to any role or workload as long as it puts the Guardians in a position to win ballgames. “This is the postseason. This is do or die,” he said. “Every game matters. It’s the embodiment of that statement that it’s all hands on deck.”
Smith is one of the true MVPs of this team. Perhaps he will get a chance to be rewarded with a ticket to the World Series.
NEXT: Guardians Reliever Is Quietly Dominating In The Postseason
