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Guardians' Cade Smith: Fans two for 14th save of 2026
Rotowire
Smith collected the save in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Reds, allowing one walk while striking out two in a scoreless and hitless ninth inning.
The Guardians scored five of their seven runs from the sixth to eighth innings, which prompted Cleveland to turn to Smith to close things out in the ninth. He struck out the first two batters he faced and was able to work around a walk to secure his 14th save of the season, which is tied with Mason Miller for most in the majors. Smith has successfully converted each of his last 11 save opportunities and sits at a 2.91 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 31:5 K:BB across 21.2 innings this season.
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Guardians' Cade Smith: Secures 13th save
Rotowire
Smith struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his 13th save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Angels.
The right-hander carved up the heart of the Halos' order, fanning Jorge Soler, Oswald Peraza and Zach Neto on 14 pitches (nine strikes). Smith has converted 10 straight save chances dating back to April 16, posting a 1.54 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 18:1 K:BB over 11.2 innings during that stretch. His 13 saves now leads the majors.
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Guardians' Cade Smith: Locks down 12th save
Rotowire
Smith struck out two in 1.1 perfect innings Tuesday to record his 12th save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Angels.
Slade Cecconi gave the Guardians only four innings, but five different relievers stepped up to get the team across the finish line, with Smith working more than one inning for only the second time in 19 appearances this season. The right-hander is tied for the major-league lead in saves with the Cardinals' Riley O'Brien and the Padres' Mason Miller, and Smith has put his early-season struggles firmly behind him -- he's issued just one walk in his last 13.2 innings, delivering a 1.32 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 18:1 K:BB since April 7.
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Guardians' Cade Smith: Notches 11th save
Rotowire
Smith secured the save after giving up one earned run on two hits and striking out a batter in the ninth inning of Friday's 6-4 win over the Twins.
Smith threw 13 of his 15 pitches for strikes Friday, but a pair of singles from Byron Buxton and Austin Martin to begin the inning followed by a double-play ball off the bat of Ryan Jeffers put an earned run on Smith's ledger before the night was over. The 26-year-old's ERA is up to 3.44 through 18.1 innings, though he now sits alone atop the American League saves leaderboard with 11.
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Guardians' Cade Smith: Nails down 10th save
Rotowire
Smith secured the save Thursday against the Royals, throwing a clean ninth inning. He struck out two.
The 26-year-old right-hander threw just half of his 18 offerings for strikes Thursday, but the Royals were unable to muster a baserunner. Through 17.1 innings this year, Smith has a 3.12 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 23:4 K:BB while converting 10 of his 12 save opportunities. Smith has allowed just one earned run over his last 11 outings, and he's now tied with David Bednar and Lucas Erceg for the American League lead in saves.
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Guardians' Cade Smith: Strikes out side for ninth save
Rotowire
Smith collected his ninth save of the season in the Guardians' 3-1 win over the Royals on Wednesday after allowing one hit and striking out three batters in the ninth inning.
Smith made his first appearance out of the bullpen since Friday and was tasked with protecting Cleveland's two-run lead. He was perfect outside of a single by Vinnie Pasquantino, with Smith striking out each of the other three batters he faced. Smith has recorded a save in four consecutive outings (and in six of his last seven appearances), and his nine saves are tied for fifth most in the majors. He sits at a 3.31 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 21:4 K:BB across 16.1 innings this season.
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Guardians' Cade Smith: Picks up eighth save
Rotowire
Smith struck out one over 1.1 perfect innings to earn the save in Friday's 8-5 win over the Athletics.
The Guardians had to dig deep in this one, but Smith was able to close it out as the sixth reliever to appear in the game. After a bumpy start to the season, Smith has settled in with just one run allowed over his last 6.1 innings, a span in which he has added a 7:1 K:BB. He's 8-for-10 on save chances this season while pitching to a 3.52 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 18:4 K:BB through 15.1 innings.
Smith gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his seventh save of the season in a 3-1 win over the Rays.
The right-hander converted his fourth straight save chance in efficient fashion, firing 10 of his 12 pitches for strikes. Smith has had a bumpier start to the season than expected, but he's been scored upon only once in his last eight appearances and sports a 3.86 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 17:4 K:BB through 14 innings on the year.
Smith allowed two hits in a scoreless ninth inning to record his sixth save of the season in an 8-6 win over the Blue Jays. He didn't walk or strike out a batter.
The right-hander got the job done with weak contact after giving up a pair of leadoff singles, getting Eloy Jimenez to ground into a double play before inducing a pop-up from Davis Schneider. Smith hasn't been as dominant to begin 2026 as he was the last two seasons, posting a 4.15 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 15:4 K:BB through 13 innings while converting six of eight save chances, and the culprit has been less movement on his 96.5 mph four-seam fastball -- after he produced a 32.2 percent whiff rate and .245 xwOBA with the pitch last season, he's seen those numbers regress to a 25.3 percent whiff rate and .383 xwOBA.
Smith picked up the save in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Orioles, striking out all three batters he faced in the ninth inning.
Smith made easy work of the Orioles' batters in the ninth inning, getting each one to strike out swinging while generating six whiffs and 15 pitches (11 strikes). The right-hander has converted on five of seven save opportunities this season and has a 4.09 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB across 11 innings. His five saves are tied for sixth most in the American League.
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Guardians' Cade Smith: Tallies fourth save
Rotowire
Smith secured the save Thursday against the Orioles, allowing no runs on two hits and no walks in the ninth inning.
The Guardians were leading 4-0 in the ninth inning, but a pair of Baltimore knocks to spoil Parker Messick's no-hit bid wound up creating a save situation for Smith to clean up and collect his fourth save. The right-hander allowed two inherited runners to score but was able to deliver a fourth straight outing without giving up any earned runs. Smith appears to be finding a groove as Cleveland's closer, though his ERA is still high at 4.50 after surrendering five runs in his first six appearances of the campaign.
Guardians' Cade Smith: Blows save opportunity Tuesday
Rotowire
Smith blew the save Tuesday against the Cardinals, allowing one unearned run on one hit while striking out one over one inning.
Smith appeared on his way to a clean save after retiring the first two batters on just five pitches, but an infield error extended the inning and allowed Masyn Winn to reach. Winn came around to score one batter later on a game-tying double by Yohel Pozo, saddling Smith with his second blown save in five chances this season. To his credit, the right-hander regrouped and struck out the next batter to prevent further damage and send the game to extras. The preseason AL Reliever of the Year favorite has had an uneven start, posting a 5.00 ERA and 1.33 WHIP through nine innings.
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Guardians' Cade Smith: Notches second win
Rotowire
Smith (2-0) earned the win in Tuesday's 2-1 victory versus the Royals, striking out two during a perfect ninth inning.
The right-hander entered for the top of the ninth inning with the game tied 1-1 and quickly retired the side on just 10 pitches (seven strikes). The Cleveland offense then came alive in the bottom of the frame with a walk and two singles to walk off the Royals, providing Smith with the victory. The clean outing was desperately needed for Smith, who has now held the opposition scoreless in just three of his first seven outings this season. The 26-year-old's job security as Cleveland's closer appears stable for now, but that could change if he's unable to build on Tuesday's strong showing.
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