Cleveland Guardians Lead MLB in Key Stat
While the Cleveland Guardians have some weaknesses on their roster, there’s one area where they’ve been exceptional over the past two seasons: their bullpen.
Cleveland’s bullpen has been so effective that it has helped the team lead all of Major League Baseball in an impressive stat. According to Codify Baseball on X, the Guardians are an undefeated 112-0 when leading after eight innings since the start of the 2024 season, the best record in the league.
The next closest team in this category is the Seattle Mariners, with a 101-2 record in the same situation. Currently, Cleveland is facing the Mariners as part of a three-series West Coast road trip.
The Guardians’ late-game success is largely driven by the outstanding performance of their bullpen.
In 2024, Cleveland’s bullpen posted a remarkable 2.57 ERA, the best in baseball. Although the bullpen’s ERA in 2025 has risen to 3.74, it still ranks among the league’s top groups, with the Guardians’ key relievers continuing to shine.
The standout of the bullpen is three-time All-Star Emmanuel Clase. Despite some early-season struggles, Clase has posted a 1.39 ERA, 0.842 WHIP, and 2.22 FIP during the 2024-25 regular season.
However, other relievers like Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis, and Tim Herrin have also been pivotal in late-game situations and deserve recognition for their contributions.
While the Guardians aren’t a flawless team, their elite bullpen ensures they stay competitive in close games.
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