Smith (5-5) allowed two runs on three hits and did not retire a batter, picking up a blown save and the loss Friday against the Rangers.
Smith squandered a second consecutive save opportunity and has allowed runs in three straight appearances. Prior to this stretch, he pitched well as a fill-in closer for Emmanuel Clase (personal). Smith entered Friday with a 2.13 ERA in 12.2 innings over his last 12 appearances while converting four of his six save tries since replacing Clase as the primary closer.
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Guardians' Cade Smith: Blows save Wednesday
Rotowire
Smith allowed one hit and one run while striking out one over 1.1 innings, getting charged with a blown save in Wednesday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to Arizona.
Smith was unable to close the door in the bottom of the ninth inning, when Lourdes Gurriel took him deep and set up the Diamondbacks' walk-off win an inning later. Smith has performed well as a fill-in closer, so this one hiccup shouldn't diminish his value. He entered the contest with a 0.82 ERA and an 11:2 K:BB while converting all four save opportunities over the previous 11 innings.
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Guardians' Cade Smith: Up to six saves
Rotowire
Smith recorded the final out Thursday to earn the save in a 9-4 win over the Marlins.
After Nic Enright loaded the bases in the ninth inning, Smith came on to record the final out and lock down his sixth save of the season. The 26-year-old Smith has been impressive since taking over the closing job in Cleveland. He's held opponents scoreless in his last eight appearances (nine innings) to lower his ERA to 2.67 with a 1.09 WHIP and 74 strikeouts across 54 innings this season.
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Guardians' Cade Smith: Fans three in win
Rotowire
Smith (3-4) came away with the win against the Twins on Friday after tossing two perfect innings while striking out three batters.
Smith was dispatched in the ninth inning to keep the game tied at 2-2, and his efforts were rewarded after Kyle Manzardo walked off the Twins in the 10th with an RBI single. Smith appears to be the next man up at closer for the Guardians with Emmanuel Clase on non-disciplinary leave through Aug. 31 as part of MLB's sports-betting investigation. In 21 appearances since the beginning of June, Smith boasts a 3.32 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 27:7 K:BB across 21.2 innings.
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Guardians' Cade Smith: Blows save, takes loss Monday
Rotowire
Smith (2-4) took the loss against the Rockies on Monday, allowing four runs (one earned) on two hits while recording only one out in the ninth inning. He did not register a strikeout.
With Emmanuel Clase on non-disciplinary leave through Aug. 31, it was Smith who received the team's first save chance in his absence. Unfortunately, he allowed the tying run to score on his own throwing error and was ultimately charged with three more runs. While it wasn't an ideal audition for the closer role, Smith has gone 3-for-5 in save opportunities this season with a 3.40 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 65:17 K:BB across 45 innings. It's unclear whether he'll get the next shot in the ninth or if manager Stephen Vogt will go with a committee approach moving forward.
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Guardians' Cade Smith: Returns from back spams
Rotowire
Smith (2-3) has returned from back spasms and picked up the loss in Sunday's game against Detroit. He allowed six runs (four earned) on five hits and an error over a third of an inning.
Smith came on to pitch the 10th inning after closer Emmanuel Clase's wild pitch in the ninth allowed the tying run to score. Smith, who had ceded just one regular-season home run during his MLB career, was taken deep twice in the final frame. Back spasms limited his availability over the final week of June.
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Guardians' Cade Smith: Picks up second save
Rotowire
Smith threw a perfect inning and earned a save against the Yankees on Tuesday.
Smith needed only four pitches in the ninth inning to close out the 3-2 victory. He recorded seven holds through 11 appearances to start the year but has now converted saves in back-to-back days. Those two save chances came directly after Emmanuel Clase was rocked for three runs in a blown save against the Pirates on Sunday while pitching for a third straight day, which inflated his season ERA to 7.84. Clase has not appeared during either of the last two games while dealing with some shoulder discomfort, though for now it appears he'll avoid the injured list. Smith owns a 1.38 ERA with a 16:4 K:BB through 13 innings this season and could see a boost to his fantasy profile, depending on the health of Clase.
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Guardians' Cade Smith: Earns fifth hold
Rotowire
Smith struck out two in a scoreless inning to earn a hold during Saturday's 6-3 win over Kansas City.
With the Guardians up 3-1, Smith opened the top of the eighth inning with the task of getting the lead to closer Emmanuel Clase. He made quick work of the Royals for his fifth hold, before Cleveland stretched the lead with three runs in the bottom of the frame. Smith has allowed two unearned runs over eight outings, giving up three hits and three walks while striking out nine over 7.2 innings.
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Guardians' Cade Smith: Secures fifth win
Rotowire
Smith (5-1) struck out three over 1.2 perfect innings to earn the win Tuesday over the Tigers.
Xzavion Curry couldn't complete five innings, and Smith ended up with the win after the Guardians pulled ahead in their half of the fifth. Smith's scoreless streak is up to 9.2 innings, a span in which he has an 18:1 K:BB. For the year, he's at a 2.11 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 67:10 K:BB through 47 innings. He's added a save, 14 holds and a blown save, though he has just two holds and two wins over nine appearances in July. Smith's elite ratios make him an intriguing fantasy option even with virtually no path to saves.
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Guardians' Cade Smith: Picks up fourth win
Rotowire
Smith (4-1) struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the win Sunday over the Giants.
Smith pitched the sixth inning, and the Guardians took the lead in their half of the frame to make him the pitcher of record. After a strong first two months of the season, Smith has taken a bit of a step back, allowing six runs over his last 14.1 innings since the start of June. He's now at a 2.50 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 53:9 K:BB while adding a save and 13 holds over 39.2 innings.
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Guardians' Cade Smith: Tagged with loss Friday
Rotowire
Smith (3-1) allowed a run on three hits and struck out one over one inning Friday, taking the loss versus the Marlins.
It was a rare hiccup for Smith, who gave up a run-scoring single to Jazz Chisholm in the eighth inning. This appearance ended Smith's 12-inning scoreless streak, during which he had a 14:1 K:BB. He's at a 1.82 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 39:7 K:BB over 29.2 innings with a save and six holds as he continues to grow into a high-leverage role as a rookie.
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Guardians' Cade Smith: Collects second win
Rotowire
Smith (2-0) allowed a hit and struck out three without walking a batter over 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the win Tuesday versus the Rockies.
Smith got the final out of the sixth inning and also pitched the seventh after the Guardians regained the lead. The rookie right-hander has an eight-inning scoreless streak going, and he's posted a 13:1 K:BB in that span while adding a save and three holds. Smith continues to see an increasing role in the late innings, one that he's earned by pitching to a 1.82 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 37:7 K:BB over 24.2 innings this season.
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Guardians' Cade Smith: Picks up first career save
Rotowire
Smith earned the save in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the Mets, allowing one hit while striking out two in a scoreless inning of work.
After Emmanuel Clase pitched in three consecutive days, the Guardians turned to Smith in the ninth with a three-run lead Wednesday. The rookie right-hander would allow a two-out double to Francisco Lindor before rebounding to strike out Pete Alonso, sealing his first MLB save. Smith's been solid out of the bullpen for Cleveland this year, pitching to a 2.01 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 32:7 K:BB while recording five holds in 22.1 innings. While he won't unseat Clase for the closing job, Smith has certainly established himself as a high-leverage option going forward.
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Guardians' Cade Smith: Grabs first win
Rotowire
Smith (1-0) retired both batters he faced to earn the extra-inning win over the Astros on Wednesday.
Smith got the last two outs of the ninth inning, and Emmanuel Clase closed out the game in the 10th after the Guardians grabbed the lead. Aside from giving up two runs in back-to-back outings in mid-April, Smith has been one of the Guardians' many successful relievers early in the year after winning a job in the bullpen out of spring training. He's pitched to a 2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 22:6 K:BB over his first 14.2 major-league innings, and he's added two holds.
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Guardians' Cade Smith: May begin in MLB bullpen
Rotowire
Smith will begin the season in the Guardians' bullpen unless the team acquires another reliever in the next few days, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
At the moment, Smith's 2.25 ERA and 1.00 WHIP through eight spring innings has earned him a spot in Cleveland's bullpen, though it's unclear how aggressive the Guardians will be in pursuing another reliever to replace the 24-year-old righty. Smith spent most of last season in Triple-A Columbus, where he turned in a 4.65 ERA and 1.39 WHIP across 40.2 frames. If he does remain on Cleveland's Opening Day roster, he likely will be limited to low-leverage situations to begin his MLB career.
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Guardians' Cade Smith: Added to 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Guardians selected Smith to their 40-man roster Tuesday.
Smith pitched to a 4.02 ERA and 95:28 K:BB over 62.2 innings this past season between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus. The 24-year-old reliever is now protected from next month's Rule 5 Draft and might be poised to make his MLB debut at some point in 2024.
