The Cleveland Guardians closer’s late game dominance continued Friday night.
Emmanuel Clase record his 40th save of the season in the Guardians 6-3 win over Kansas City Friday night. The Cleveland reliever has appeared in a career-high 75 games this season and the save total is also a career-high.
The last time a Cleveland reliever registered 40 or more saves in a season was Joe Borowski all the way back in 2007. It is hard to believe that during the impressive run in the 2010’s that Cody Allen was not able to eclipse 40 saves. Allen’s high was 34 in 2015 and that number steadily decreased during his tenure with the club.
It is quite the story for Emmanuel Clase considering he came to Cleveland in the deal that sent Corey Kluber to Texas, a rather unpopular move at the time. Before Clase even threw a pitch for Cleveland he suffered an injury in spring training prior to the delayed 2020 season. Prior to the shortened season starting later that year Clase tested positive for a banned substance and was suspended for 80 games, encompassing all of the 2020 season and lasting into 2021. The fact Clase was able to become the elite closing option he has is quite impressive with the rollercoaster start to his career in Cleveland.
