Cade Smith's journey from being one of baseball's top closers last year to his current struggles is a storyline to watch for Guardians fans. Last season, Smith stepped up when Emmanuel Clase was sidelined due to MLB's pitch rigging investigation. This year, however, has been a different story.
Despite leading the American League with three games finished, Smith's 9.00 ERA in four appearances is raising eyebrows. He's allowed at least one earned run in his last three outings. The Guardians have managed to win all four games he's pitched in, but there's an underlying concern about his performance.
The pressing question: Are Smith's struggles enough for the Guardians to rethink their ninth-inning strategy?
Smith's season began on a high note with a save on Opening Day against the Mariners. But just two days later, he gave up a game-tying single to Julio Rodríguez. His next appearance against the Dodgers saw him surrender two runs in a non-save situation.
Yesterday, Smith entered another non-save scenario, thanks to José Ramírez's clutch eighth-inning homer. However, he gave up a ninth-inning run to a two-out homer by Freddie Freeman. Although these outings haven't cost the Guardians yet, they’ve been skating on thin ice.
It's not about removing Smith from the closer role permanently; perhaps a temporary shift to a lower-pressure situation could help him regain his form. The Guardians have made similar moves before, like last April when Clase was briefly moved out of the closer role, allowing Smith to step up.
Despite Hunter Gaddis' forearm injury affecting the bullpen's depth, the Guardians have options. Connor Brogdon already stepped in for a save when Smith faltered, though he also struggled in extra innings.
Erik Sabrowski, a left-hander who’s been lights out since his debut, might be a solid choice. With 3 2/3 innings and six strikeouts to start the season, Sabrowski has handled setup duties with ease.
As the season progresses, the Guardians will need to carefully consider their bullpen strategy, ensuring they maintain their winning ways while giving Smith the opportunity to find his rhythm.