Cade

Smith

Smith came in to protect a 1-0 lead in the ninth inning on the road and wiped the floor with the Red Sox. He struck out the side in order, picking up his league-leading 41st save. Finally getting the chance to be a full-time closer this year, Smith showed that he’s elite.

Smith walked one. Things got a little interesting on out No. 3, as first baseman Nathaniel Lowe initially went to his right to try for a grounder that was handled by Angel Genao at second base and then fell down trying to reverse direction. Genao, though, saw it all right away and won a footrace to first.

Smith was called on after Hunter Gaddis gave up a pair of hits in the eighth. He struck out Henry Bolte to end the threat and then got two more K’s in the ninth. That brings his total to 103 strikeouts in 71 1/3 innings this season. He finished with 104 in 73 2/3 innings last year and 103 in 75 1/3 innings as a rookie in 2024. Mason Miller is in line to smash some salary records as an arbitration-eligible reliever in the coming years, but Smith shouldn’t come in too far behind.

Smith has pulled within striking distance of Rays stopper Bryan Baker for the major-league lead in the saves department entering the home stretch. He’s just two behind after needing just 14 pitches (nine strikes) to dispatch the Athletics in this one. The 27-year-old elite fantasy closer has converted 38 of 43 save opportunities to accompany a pristine 2.06 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 100/22 K/BB ratio across 70 innings. He’ll be the second closer off the board behind Padres other-worldly sensation Mason Miller in every fantasy draft next spring.

Smith struck out two over 1 1/3 perfect innings, nailing down his 37th save of the year. The right-hander now has a pristine 2.09 ERA in 2026. Since August 1 of last season, his 50 saves lead all relievers, setting him up to once again be one of the earliest-drafted closers in 2027 fantasy leagues.

Smith worked around a measly single with a game-ending double play to finish off this win for the Guardians after they stormed ahead in the top of the ninth. It was his 36th save on the season which tied him with Riley O’Brien for second-most in the league to go along with a 2.18 ERA and 1.05 ERA. He’s cemented himself as one of the game’s best closers in his first full season with the role.

Smith entered a tied game in the ninth inning and struck out two in a perfect inning. With the game still tied and the automatic runner on second base in the 10th inning, he struck out the side in order, setting up the Guardians for the walk-off win in the bottom of the inning. Smith’s win was his fifth of the year. He has a 2.25 ERA.

Smith struck out two in a 6-6 game before Brayan Rocchio won it in the bottom of the ninth. It’ll be interesting to see if he’s available in the nightcap after throwing 18 pitches in game one. He’s never pitched in both games of a doubleheader before, but he’d pitched just once in nine days coming into this one.

Smith hit Cristian Moore to begin the inning, and a sacrifice bunt put runners on second and third with one out. Smith was able to whiff the next two, and it gives him 35 saves on the campaign and lowers his ERA on the season to 2.40.

Smith’s save was his 34th of the year. He came on in a 4-1 game and the Angels turned a hit batter, a single and a sacrifice fly into a run. Smith still slammed the door as the Guardians won, 4-2. His ERA is 2.44 on the season.