Cade Smith
Breakdown
Performance
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May 13, 2026
Secures 13th save
Smith struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his 13th save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Angels.
Analysis
The right-hander carved up the heart of the Halos' order, fanning Jorge Soler, Oswald Peraza and Zach Neto on 14 pitches (nine strikes). Smith has converted 10 straight save chances dating back to April 16, posting a 1.54 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 18:1 K:BB over 11.2 innings during that stretch. His 13 saves now leads the majors.
May 13, 2026
Locks down 12th save
Smith struck out two in 1.1 perfect innings Tuesday to record his 12th save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Angels.
Analysis
Slade Cecconi gave the Guardians only four innings, but five different relievers stepped up to get the team across the finish line, with Smith working more than one inning for only the second time in 19 appearances this season. The right-hander is tied for the major-league lead in saves with the Cardinals' Riley O'Brien and the Padres' Mason Miller, and Smith has put his early-season struggles firmly behind him -- he's issued just one walk in his last 13.2 innings, delivering a 1.32 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 18:1 K:BB since April 7.
May 9, 2026
Notches 11th save
Smith secured the save after giving up one earned run on two hits and striking out a batter in the ninth inning of Friday's 6-4 win over the Twins.
Analysis
Smith threw 13 of his 15 pitches for strikes Friday, but a pair of singles from Byron Buxton and Austin Martin to begin the inning followed by a double-play ball off the bat of Ryan Jeffers put an earned run on Smith's ledger before the night was over. The 26-year-old's ERA is up to 3.44 through 18.1 innings, though he now sits alone atop the American League saves leaderboard with 11.
May 7, 2026
Nails down 10th save
Smith secured the save Thursday against the Royals, throwing a clean ninth inning. He struck out two.
Analysis
The 26-year-old right-hander threw just half of his 18 offerings for strikes Thursday, but the Royals were unable to muster a baserunner. Through 17.1 innings this year, Smith has a 3.12 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 23:4 K:BB while converting 10 of his 12 save opportunities. Smith has allowed just one earned run over his last 11 outings, and he's now tied with David Bednar and Lucas Erceg for the American League lead in saves.