Cleveland Guardians' Emmanuel Clase makes MLB history as the first pitcher with remarkable statline in first 53 games
Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase etched his name into the MLB history books after starting the 2024 campaign with sheer dominance and utter class. The searing strike thrower became the first pitcher in MLB history to record 17 or more saves, with an ERA under 0.33 and just two walks or fewer allowed through a ballclub's first 53 games in a big league season.
Emmanuel Clase has been simply brilliant with his pitching arsenal and pitch placement inside the box this season. Out of a possible 19 save situations this season, he has blown only two of those chances, as he has helped the Cleveland Guardians see through some important nail-biting clashes so far this season.
He has recorded six saves in his last seven outings, which has helped the Guardians reach a 36-17 record this season. They currently sit atop the AL Central division with a healthy .679 win percentage.
Emmanuel Clase went about his usual business in his most recent save on Sunday afternoon against the Los Angeles Angels in the series finale at Angel Stadium.
While he didn't register any strikeouts in the bottom of the ninth, Clase gave up just one hit to Logan O'Hoppe and settled, sending back the other three hitters to the dugout.
Mickey Moniak grounded out to second on a 98-mph cutter. Zach Neto also became victim to Clase's 98-mph cutter via a center field flyout. And pinch hitter Willie Calhoun too grounded out third on a vicious 99-mph cutter.
Emmanuel Clase has been consistently great for the Cleveland Guardians in recent years
It was not smooth sailing for Emmanuel Clase when he was first traded to the Cleveland Guardians in 2019. Clase was suspended for 80 games in May 2020 after testing positive for a banned PED named Boldenone. The suspension was cut short to sixty games after the pandemic shortened the baseball season in 2020.
After coming back from his suspension, he gained traction with the Cleveland Guardians in 2021 and started delivering his best performances in 2022, which has continued till now.
He was the MLB saves leader in 2022 and 2023 while also becoming an All-Star in both those years. Additionally, he was the AL Reliever of the Year in 2022 and made the All-MLB First team in his breakout season with the Guardians that same year.