The Abbotsford, B.C., native has smoothly transitioned into Cleveland’s closer role this week, while all-star Emmanuel Clase works through some early-season struggles.
Smith recorded his third save of the week in the first half of a doubleheader on Saturday against the Boston Red Sox, handling the ninth inning for a third straight Guardians win.
Notably in the 5-4 win, Clase handled the eighth inning, striking out two in his first appearance for Cleveland since April 20, lowering his ERA from 7.84 to 7.15
After finishing third in AL Cy Young voting last season, Clase struggled out of the gate in 2024, and took the last five games off due to shoulder soreness.
“It was great. I talked with him before the game and said, ‘Hey, it’s been five days. (You) didn’t go on a rehab. We don’t want to put you on the IL. We want to keep you active. Probably look for a little lower leverage just to get you back on your feet.’ He was great with it, and that’s the teammate he is,” said Guardians manager Stephen Vogt after the game, per Sports Illustrated.
“He’ll be right back in that closer role.”
Smith broke onto the scene as a rookie in 2024, earning both rookie of the year and Cy Young votes in his debut season. So far in 2025, he has continued to excel. After Saturday’s outing, he has a 1.29 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 14 innings of work.
Steven Kwan hit the tiebreaking single in the sixth inning to give the Guardians the lead on their way to a sixth win in seven games.
With the score 4-4, Brennan Bernardino (1-1) hit Will Wilson with a pitch starting the sixth, Angel Martínez singled and Austin Hedges sacrificed. With the infield in, Kwan blooped an opposite-field hit that nicked off backpedalling shortstop Trevor Story where the infield dirt met the outfield grass.
Kwan ended the first game hitting .343, including .429 (9 for 21) with runners in scoring position.
After Boston had two on with no outs, Smith retired Rafael Devers, Alex Bregman and Story in order, sealing Boston’s third straight loss.
Wilyer Abreu hit a three-run homer in a 31-pitch first against Ben Lively, but José Ramírez, Gabriel Arias and Daniel Schneeman had RBI singles in a 29-pitch bottom half off Tanner Houck that included Carlos Santana’s sacrifice fly.
Devers homered in the third.
Alex Cora managed his 1,000th major league game, all with the Red Sox, and has 535 wins. He became the fifth Boston manager to reach the milestone, joining Joe Cronin, Terry Francona, Pinky Higgins and Bill Carrigan.
Red Sox RHP Walker Buehler (3-1, 4.23 ERA) takes on Guardians LHP Doug Nikhazy in his major league debut in the nightcap. Nikhazy is 1-0 with a 3.44 ERA in four starts with Triple-A Columbus.
— With files from Sportsnet Staff
