Guardians Rely on Cade Smith as Playoff Chase Intensifies

Cleveland Guardians are facing a critical juncture in their playoff chase, relying heavily on first-time closer Cade Smith. With only 12 games remaining in the regular season, every match carries immense weight. Smith’s recent performance, particularly a blown save in a key victory against the Detroit Tigers, underscores the pressure on him and the team as they aim for a postseason berth.

In the game on September 25, 2023, Smith allowed a game-tying home run to Kerry Carpenter with two outs in the ninth inning. Fortunately for Smith and the Guardians, a historic 10th-inning rally secured a 7-5 win, keeping Cleveland’s playoff hopes alive. “He’s kind of been thrust into this situation, obviously, with Emmanuel Clase being put on paid leave due to gambling allegations,” said Paul Hoynes, Guardians beat reporter for cleveland.com, during the latest episode of the Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast.

Smith’s journey to the closer role has been eventful. After Clase’s suspension in late August, Smith stepped up admirably, converting 15 of 21 save opportunities. As the Guardians now sit just 2.5 games out of the final Wild Card spot, the stakes couldn’t be higher. “You’ve got to give him some room to grow and learn,” added Joe Noga, also of cleveland.com. “But at this point in the season, there’s no room for error.”

The Guardians’ trust in Smith comes as he approaches his career highs in both appearances and innings pitched. With 71 games under his belt and nearly 69 innings thrown this season, fatigue could be a concern as the playoff race heats up. Nevertheless, the team continues to back Smith. “They’ve got no choice. He’s the guy,” emphasized Hoynes. “He might blow some saves, but he’s going to save a lot more than he fails to convert.”

Challenges abound for Smith, who faces the pressure of being a closer in a high-stakes environment. His recent performance mirrors the Guardians’ own season—full of improbability and pressure, with little margin for error. Notably, Smith’s blown save against Carpenter echoed a similar moment from last year’s playoffs involving Clase, suggesting a common learning curve for closers.

Cleveland cannot afford to be patient, as they are not in a rebuilding phase. Each game is crucial, and every misstep could jeopardize their postseason ambitions. Ultimately, the Guardians have little choice but to keep Smith in the closing role. His resilience, demonstrated by returning to strike out the next batter after the home run, may reflect the mental toughness required for playoff success.

As the Guardians continue their playoff push, fans and analysts alike are keenly watching Smith’s development. For those interested in deeper insights into his performance and the team’s bullpen strategy, the full Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast offers expert analysis on the matter.

The Guardians currently find themselves 5.5 games behind the Tigers in the Central Division and 2.5 games back in the Wild Card race. They have won 10 of their last 11 games, showcasing their determination as they head into the final stretch of the season.

With crucial matchups against the Tigers ahead, the Guardians must maintain their momentum. The team’s next challenge involves starting pitchers Gavin Williams and Tanner Bybee, who are set to face Detroit in the coming days. Cleveland is hoping for a repeat of their previous success against the Tigers, which could significantly enhance their playoff positioning as the season draws to a close.