Cade Smith was viewed as a future closer by the Cleveland Guardians when unexpected circumstances forced him into the role last summer.
The right-hander has thrived since making the move and is one of the main reasons why Cleveland is again atop the American League Central Division.
The Guardians have won two straight and will seek a series sweep of the visiting Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday. Cleveland left-hander Parker Messick (4-1, 2.30 ERA) takes on Angels lefty Reid Detmers (1-3, 4.33) in the afternoon game.
Smith moved into a tie for the major league lead in saves Tuesday, retiring all four batters he faced in a 3-2 victory to record his 12th save.
The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Canadian has only been called upon to earn a four-out save three times since taking over for Emmanuel Clase in Cleveland after his suspension last July. Smith said it’s an opportunity that he relishes.
“It gives you some time between innings to chat with (your catcher), to go over things and get a plan going forward, so it’s nice to have a little break,” said Smith, who is 2-0 with a 3.20 ERA in 19 appearances this season.
“But the job is the same. Put up a zero, keep the ball in the zone and compete.”
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt figured Smith would be ready for extended work with the club closing a stretch of 13 games in 13 days on Wednesday. The right-hander hadn’t pitched since Friday and has been great since mid-April.
Smith is 1-0 with 11 saves and a 1.72 ERA in his last 15 appearances, a surge that has coincided with Cleveland moving into first place in the division.
“Cade is back to the north-south game, hitting the top rail with his fastball,” Vogt explained. “With the off-day coming (Thursday), we kind of figured it would be a four-out night for Case. And it was for him.”
Messick, who came within three outs of a no-hitter on April 16 against the Baltimore Orioles, will be facing the Angels for the first time. He is coming off a May 8 victory over the Minnesota Twins, who scored one run in 5 2/3 innings against him.
Los Angeles is desperately looking for any positive signs, having lost a league-high 17 of its 22 games since April 18.
Good news could be imminent as Grayson Rodriguez, who hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2024, is on the verge of being activated off the 15-day injured list. He has been sidelined since March 22 with right shoulder inflammation, but has continued to throw.
Rodriguez struck out 11 in 4 2/3 innings in a rehab appearance for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga on May 10, prompting Angels manager Kurt Suzuki to say his next start being with Los Angeles “is on the table.”
“Once we get back home and talk to (general manager Perry Minasian) and the pitching coaches, we’ll see what the best solution for Grayson and the team is,” Suzuki said. “His next start could be up here.”
The Angels acquired Rodriguez from the Baltimore Orioles in the offseason after he underwent right elbow surgery to remove bone spurs.
Detmers has been rocked in five career appearances in Cleveland, giving up 16 earned runs in 20 1/3 innings for a 7.08 ERA and an 0-2 record. He is 1-3 with a 5.87 ERA in eight total games (six starts) against the Guardians.
Back as a starter after spending last year in the bullpen, Detmers only lasted 3 2/3 innings and walked six in a 2-0 loss at the Toronto Blue Jays on May 8.
–Field Level Media
