The Cleveland Guardians have the best record in baseball as of the third week of August.
With the MLB playoff race heating up, the “hot summer” is winding down, the Guardians are in first place in the AL Central Division, and closer Emanuel Klass deserves some plaudits.
On Tuesday night, Klaas was dominant against the Chicago Cubs, recording his fourth straight save.
He is the first pitcher to record a save on four consecutive days since Edwin Diaz in 2018, and the first player to do so in a Cleveland uniform since Jose Mesa in 1995.
Klaas has already played in 57 games for the Guardians this season, recording 37 saves. His 0.64 ERA is a big improvement from last season’s 3.22, and he’s seven saves away from matching last season’s total. If he can maintain his perfect performance from August through September, he should have a good shot at winning the Cy Young Award.
The Cy Young Award is, by its very nature, somewhat story-driven. So here’s one story. Tarik Skubal is great, but the Detroit Tigers are so irrelevant that trade rumors were rife at the trade deadline. Corbin Barnes is a good player. The Baltimore Orioles are at least in the playoffs, but is he as important as Class?
No American League pitcher has been as important to the Guardians as Klaas, who has won 71 games, 37 of which were won by Klaas.
The Guardians bullpen has been one of the best in baseball all season and was meant to be.
Ace Shane Bieber is out for the season after just two starts. Triston McKenzie and Logan Allen were so bad as starters that they’re now in AAA. Carlos Carrasco is 37 and his magic has finally worn off. Veterans like Ben Lively, Alex Cobb and Matthew Boyd have been relied upon as starters to help the Guardians remain one of the best teams in baseball.
With Cleveland’s normally dominant starting pitching staff now completely off the charts, Class Pitcher is more important than ever. He’s the best closer in MLB and he’s on the best team in baseball. This is your story.
Relief pitchers like Pedro Avila and Cade Smith are fun and important to the team’s success, but Clase is the linchpin. Opposing teams know they have eight innings to beat the Guardians. When Clase’s song starts and he comes out of the bullpen, you might as well get up from your seat and make plans to walk back to your car.
Klaas wants to pitch every day, which may not be sustainable, but his Desire to contribute to the team’s victoryWith his astounding 100 mph pitches, he is beloved by baseball fans in and around Cleveland.
The last closer to win the award was Eric Gagne in 2003. Class will need to continue his perfect record to be considered for the award, and most major sportsbooks have him at +9000 odds to win the award, which is a longshot.
But if he maintains his perfect record and the Guardians remain one of the top teams in baseball when the playoffs begin, there’s sure to be at least a place in the conversation.
