The Cy Young candidate

Emmanuel ClaseThe record-breaking season should earn him major consideration for the American League Cy Young Award. His 47 saves are a single-season franchise record, surpassing Jose Mesa’s mark (46 in 1995). On August 30, he became the club’s all-time points leader when he passed Cody Allen (149). Clase led all MLB relievers with a 0.61 ERA and a 0.66 WHIP, ranking second behind Cardinals righty Ryan Helsley with 49 saves. Since May 20, he has converted 34 consecutive save opportunities, which is the longest streak since Zack Britton scored 47 straight times for Baltimore in 2016. The difference for Clase after an up-and-down season in 2023 was his elite cutter, which he threw 75% of the time. Clase’s cutter limited opponents to a .150 batting average and .209 slugging percentage, which is the fifth-lowest in the majors across all individual pitch types.

The substitute sensations

Hunter Gaddis moved to the bullpen when Cleveland lost setup man Trevor Stephan to a season-ending elbow injury in spring training. Gaddis recorded 33 holds in his first season as a reliever, breaking the Guardians’ rookie record set by Vinnie Pestano (23 holds in 2011). Gaddis ranked second among MLB relievers in appearances and was third in ERA (1.57). His strikeout rate has nearly doubled from 13.2% in 11 appearances last year to 23.7% in 2024, according to Statcast, thanks to a high-80s slider that ranks 12th with a run value of 10, according to Statcast . took place in the majors.

Cade Smith‘s emergence softened the blow of losing James Karinchak to a shoulder injury in training camp. Smith struck out 103 batters, tied for the third-most among major league relievers that year, and tied Paul Shuey for the third-most in Cleveland franchise history, behind only Dave LaRoche (104 in 1976) and Sid Monge ( 108 in 1979). Manager Stephen Vogt called on Smith in situations where he needed a punchout with runners on base, and Smith responded by leading the majors with an inherited runner-scoring percentage of 5.6. Only two inherited runners scored against Smith out of 36, the lowest rate in MLB since 2017. Smith’s fastball is the top-ranked pitch in baseball, according to Statcast, with a run value of 28, which translates to a strikeout rate of 39.9%.

The left-handed assassin

Tim Mistress Appeared in 75 games, marking the second-most appearances by a left-handed hitter in the majors that season. With left-hander Sam Hentges out for most of the season due to injury, Herrin was the only consistent left-hander in the bullpen from start to finish. His ERA of 1.92 ranked sixth among left-handed hitters. Herrin struggled with leadership in 2023 but discovered his curveball in 2024, resulting in a 42% whiff rate. He limited his left-handed opponents to a .143 batting average with 29 strikeouts in 101 plate appearances.

The pacifier

Side armament Nick Sandlin set a new career high with 68 appearances and compiled a perfect record of 8-0. In doing so, he became the 16th pitcher in MLB history to achieve eight wins or more without a loss. He is the first undefeated pitcher in the major leagues with at least eight wins since Nate Jones went 8-0 for the White Sox in 2012. Vogt has used the right-hander in various roles, including as an opener. Earlier this year he referred to Sandlin as his “pacifier” before the right winger was sidelined for a few weeks with a back injury. Still, Sandlin’s 33.5% whiff rate is in the 94th percentile, according to Statcast, and his off-speed run rate is in the 97th percentile.

“He’s not afraid,” Vogt said. “Against the right, against the left – it didn’t matter. You hear me talk about it all the time, this guy putting us in the bullpen bails us out. Nick was phenomenal in this role.”

The inning eaters

Pedro Avila was not part of the Opening Day roster acquired by San Diego after being designated for assignment by the Padres in April. But since joining Cleveland, Avila has found a new life, setting career highs in appearances (54), innings pitched (82 2/3) and strikeouts (82). Avila has pitched multiple innings in 33 of his 54 appearances and at least once in every inning this season (1-9).

“It doesn’t matter what the game situation looks like, it doesn’t matter who comes forward,” said Vogt. “You take the ball and make your throws. You will gain more influence, you will get more opportunities in different roles. And that’s exactly what Pedro did.”

Eli Morgan Posted a career-best 1.93 ERA in 42 innings despite being on the injured list twice and spending a month at Triple-A Columbus in July.

“Every time he takes the ball, he gives us everything he has,” Vogt said of Morgan. “He’s been throwing the ball really well over the last month.”

The flawless newbies

After joining the squad in September, Andrew Waltersa 2023 second-round pick from Miami, is the fourth pitcher in Cleveland history to begin his career with nine straight outings without allowing an earned run.

Erik Sabrowskiwho survived two elbow surgeries to reach the major leagues at age 26, joins Mike Garcia (1948-49) as the second pitcher in Cleveland history with 12 or more scoreless innings in his first eight career games.