Trusted relievers can help Guardians get back on track

After a rough stretch for the Guardians that saw them lose seven of their past 10 games, including a three-game sweep by the Yankees, they now trail the surging White Sox by a half-game in the American League Central.

On May 24, the Guards held a 4 1/2-game lead in the AL Central, which was their biggest of the season. During much of the time they were leading the division, Cleveland’s dominant bullpen was a huge part of what made that possible. It’s no surprise that the Guardians have stumbled as their bullpen has faltered lately.

Entering Saturday, Cleveland ranked second in the Majors with a 2.78 bullpen ERA since April 18.

Since Saturday, they rank 17th with a 4.96 bullpen ERA. The bullpen problems are magnified when the offense struggles, especially with runners in scoring position.

To get back where they want to be, the Guards are going to need everyone, especially a trio of righty bullpen arms, to pick them up, as they have proven they can do.

The brightest spot in the ‘pen has been 27-year-old Cade Smith, which should come as no surprise. He’s been holding things down in his first full season as Cleveland’s closer after Emmanuel Clase was put on leave in July.

Even before that, dating back to his rookie season in 2024, he was trusted in high-leverage spots.

He has converted 38 of 48 career save opportunities, including 21 of 23 this season. His 21 saves lead the Majors. He has also converted 18 consecutive save opportunities, which is tied with Padres closer Mason Miller for the longest active streak this season.

“I’ve never been around somebody with more detailed routines, dedicated to making sure that he checks every box every day to keep his body ready to pitch [and] his mindset ready to come in in any situation,” manager Stephen Vogt said before Tuesday’s loss to the Yankees. “He’s an unbelievable human being that is as steady as they come. … He’s going to do everything within his power to make sure that he stays as strong and healthy as possible. Just a person that you want to be around, a person that you want your team to be around, his teammates to be around. I can’t say enough good things about the person, on top of the fact that he’s one of the best pitchers in baseball.”

While Smith has deservingly gotten a fair amount of credit, he hasn’t done it alone.

In his first season with the Guardians, Colin Holderman is 4-1 with a 1.80 ERA and four holds in 21 games. He has started June with four straight scoreless outings.

The Guards signed the 30-year-old as a free agent in the offseason after the Pirates designated him for assignment. He started the season in the big leagues but was optioned to Triple-A Columbus after struggling in his first two outings.

Since being recalled April 26, he has emerged as a steady reliever who is more than capable of shining in high-leverage moments. Whenever he’s needed, no matter the circumstance, he is ready.

After starting the season on the injured list with a right forearm strain, Hunter Gaddis has become a solid option as a setup man for Smith. He is 1-1 with a 4.32 ERA across 20 games and has nine holds and one save in three opportunities.

Gaddis stumbled in his previous game Monday, allowing one run on three hits and recording just one out vs. the Yankees.

“It’s just the volatility of a bullpen,” Vogt said. “We ask these guys to do so much and come in and get the best three hitters in the lineup out every night, and they do it seven times in a row. And then the eighth time they give up a run and we’re like, ‘What’s going on with so and so?’ It’s just the life that they live. They know it and they love it.”

Before Monday, Gaddis hadn’t allowed a run in nine games. As Vogt alluded to, nobody’s expecting perfection. What the bullpen has done at times this season has been incredible, and the Guards are going to need that down the stretch to get back in first place.

Going into a big weekend series vs. the division-rival Tigers, Cleveland looks to get back on track. And with a series on the South Side of Chicago coming up from June 22-24, there’s no time like the present.