Smith's dominance makes Guards' call to the 'pen easy no matter the stakes

CLEVELAND -- The Guardians know they need as many innings from their starting pitchers as they can get, especially at this time in the season. But Sunday morning, even pitching coach Carl Willis had to admit he enjoys picking up the phone that rings the bullpen and saying Cade Smith’s name.

Willis had a proud papa smile just talking about Smith’s journey this season. From a wide-eyed prospect who snuck his way onto the Opening Day roster because of two other pitchers’ illnesses to becoming the man the Guardians turn to in the most pivotal part of any game, Cleveland wouldn’t be where it is now without him.

It happened again in the Guardians’ 2-0 victory over the Rays on Sunday afternoon at Progressive Field. Starter Ben Lively had only thrown 59 pitches through five-plus innings, but after he allowed the first two runners to reach base in the sixth, manager Stephen Vogt wasn’t taking any chances. The club needed its lights-out reliever to make sure it would split the series. Willis had already made the call. Smith was ready.

Cleveland is closing in on a postseason berth. After the Tigers beat the Orioles earlier in the day, the Guardians needed their own victory to keep Tuesday as their earliest possible clinch date.

When in doubt, turn to Smith. With two runners on and nobody out, Smith didn’t let the Rays even get their hopes up. He caught Junior Caminero looking. He got Jonathan Aranda to pop out to catcher Bo Naylor in foul territory. Then, to further prove his dominance, he set Dylan Carlson down looking to end the frame.

This isn’t new. Smith entered the day not only having the fifth-most appearances of any pitcher in the Majors (70) but also tied with the A’s Mason Miller for the highest fWAR of all 174 qualified relievers (2.4). He watched his ERA drop to an even 2.00, while his team’s confidence in him with the game on the line continued to escalate.