Cade

Smith

Smith was brought in after the Guardians took an 8-6 lead in the top of the seventh and gave up a walk (in which two of the four pitches were strikes), a pair of singles and then a double with two outs. Manager Stephen Vogt made a switch at that point, and Hunter Gaddis went on to allow both inherited runners to score on another double. The outing practically tripled Smith’s ERA from 1.08 to 3.12, though it really doesn’t make any difference in his outlook.

Smith was summoned to protect a one-run lead in the final frame after Emmanuel Clase, who has been dealing with shoulder discomfort recently, tossed a perfect eighth. He immediately got into trouble by coughing up a leadoff single to Ceddanne Rafaela and walking Jarren Duran, which put the potential tying run in scoring position. He managed to retire Rafael Devers and Alex Bregman on harmless fly outs before striking out Trevor Story to preserve the victory. The 25-year-old should be rostered in all fantasy formats at this juncture.

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said after Tuesday’s game, which was closed by Cade Smith, that Clase was fine, but that obviously wasn’t the truth. He’s on his way to burning out his team’s biggest asset with the way he’s using Clase and Tim Herrin for three straight days and Smith four times in five days. Clase played catch on Wednesday. If he can’t pitch against the Yankees, Herrin or Paul Sewald could get the save opportunity with Smith having pitched the day before and Hunter Gaddis pitching three of the last four days. Smith would likely become the primary closer if Clase lands on the IL.

We’re assuming Emmanuel Clase was given a second straight day off because he threw 30 pitches while working for the third time in three days on Sunday. Though that did mean using Smith for a fourth time in five days. Fortunately, Smith needed just four pitches to retire Jasson Domínguez, Austin Wells and Oswaldo Cabrera. Smith will almost certainly get Wednesday off, but unless something bad is going on, Clase will be available then.

Emmanuel Clase had pitched three straight days, including a blown save on Sunday, so he obviously wasn’t available today. Smith got the call a little later than usual and did what he typically does. He’s pitched scoreless ball in 10 of 12 appearances, and the runs were unearned in one of the other two cases.

Smith has allowed five runs in his last two appearances. There were no velocity readings today, but he was fine in that department six days ago in an outing against the Rockies. Smith figures to remain one of baseball’s best relievers as a sophomore this season, but as a weaker bet for saves than most setup men, his fantasy value in shallow leagues is rather limited.

The deal is now official. Sewald provides Cleveland with some experienced high-leverage relief depth in a setup role ahead of elite stopper Emmanuel Clase. The 34-year-old veteran lost his grip on the closing role last year in Arizona during a second-half slide, but he represents a worthwhile low-risk gamble for the Guardians’ pitching apparatus. He’s compiled 84 saves in the big leagues since 2018 and would be the clear favorite over outstanding youngster Cade Smith to take over as Cleveland’s ninth-inning option should Clase wind up missing any time due to injury.

Gil received 15 out of 30 first-place votes, with 13 going to Colton Cowser, who narrowly finished in second place. Austin Wells finished third with Mason Miller, Cade Smith, Wilyer Abreu and Wyatt Langford also receiving votes in the AL ROY balloting. Gil delivered one of last season’s more unexpected breakthrough campaigns, emerging as a key component of New York’s starting rotation mix, finishing with a pristine 3.50 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 171/77 K/BB ratio across 151 2/3 innings (29 starts). The 26-year-old righty seems pre-destined to be one of the more polarizing pitchers in the fantasy landscape heading into 2025 drafts, but there’s a strong case for putting him somewhere in the top-40 range among starting pitchers.

Smith has blossomed into one of the best relievers in baseball this season, posting a microscopic 2.22 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 62/9 K/BB ratio across 44 2/3 innings (44 appearances). The unheralded 25-year-old righty made Cleveland’s season-opening roster and has reeled off six consecutive scoreless appearances since July 2. Per Lance Brozdowski of Marquee Sports Network, Smith gets a ton of extension on his fastball, which is causing it to play up relative to expectations, leading to an astronomical 36 percent strikeout rate.

Emmanuel Clase had the day off after pitching the previous three days. Scott Barlow would normally be next in line, but the Guardians decided against having him pitch for what would have been a third straight day. Smith is shaping up as an excellent reliever, having amassed a 2.01 ERA and a 32/7 K/BB in 22 1/3 innings. He still hasn’t given up a homer, either, though Francisco Lindor nearly had one off him today.