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Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Top Phillies Bullpen Targets After Emmanuel Clase, Felix Bautista Off-The-Board
Two prominent relievers are no longer on the Philadelphia Phillies radar ahead of the July 31 trade deadline. Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase has been placed on paid leave amid a sports gambling investigation that first ensnared teammate Luis F. Ortiz. Also, Baltimore Orioles closer Felix Bautista, who has returned to his form after missing all of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery, is on the injured list with a right shoulder injury. So who can the Phillies target now? Here are six high-leverage relievers who would help solidify their bullpen issues. Ryan Helsley With the St. Louis Cardinals fading in the National League Central standings, it's likely they will deal two-time All-Star closer Ryan Helsley, who would be a rental as he's a free agent at the end of the year. His fastball velocity ranks in the 99th percentile at 99.3 and he has struck out 26.1% of the batters he's faced this season. Helsley has a 3.00 ERA in 36 games to go along with 21 saves. He would be the game-changing closer the Phillies have been searching for. Cade Smith With Clase off the market, the Guardians can still get a haul for right-handed reliever Cade Smith. The 26-year-old has struck out 65 across 45 innings and has a 3.20 ERA in 47 appearances. His fastball averages 96.4 mph and he has whiff and strikeout percentages of 34.7 and 33.3, respectively, that rank in the top 5% in baseball. Smith would be under team control through 2029, so the Phillies would have to pony up high-end prospects for him. Jhoan Duran Phillies fans are salivating over the prospects of Minnesota Twins closer Jhoan Duran closing out games at Citizens Bank Park in October. The 27-year-old, whose fastball velocity leads all of baseball at 100.2 mph, has a 2.01 ERA in 49 appearances with 16 saves and 53 strikeouts in 49 1/3 innings. He is in the top 1% in ground ball percentage at 65.9 and is in the 99th percentile in barrel percentage at 3.0. Duran is also under control through 2027 and would require a significant return from the Phillies for the Twins to part with him. Griffin Jax Duran's teammate, Griffin Jax, has turned into a quality reliever. He leads baseball in chase percentage (40.6) and is in the 99th percentile in whiff (39.1) and strikeout (36.5) percentage. Jax has struck out 72 across 46 innings. Even though he is sporting a 3.91 ERA in 49 appearances, it mainly came early when he gave up 10 earned runs in 12 innings through April. Since then, he's allowed 10 earned runs in 34 innings. The Phillies would have to give up top-tier assets as Jax is under control for the next two seasons. David Bednar If the Phillies want to stay in-state, they can try to pry closer David Bednar away from the Pittsburgh Pirates. The two-time All-Star has recovered from an abysmal start to the season, saving 17 games, posting a 2.37 ERA in 42 appearances and striking out 51 across 38 innings. Bednar's fastball averages 97.1 mph and he strikes out 33.1% of the batters he faces. He has the swing-and-miss stuff the Phillies desperately need for their bullpen. On top of that, Bednar won't be a free agent until after the 2026 season. Dennis Santana Bednar's Pirates teammate, Dennis Santana, has also emerged as a strong reliever in 2025. His fastball might not blow hitters away (94.1 mph), but his chase percentage (36.6) ranks in the 99th percentile in baseball thanks to his devastating slider. He also has a 1.39 ERA and 0.838 WHIP in 45 appearances. If the Phillies want to go all in, adding both Bednar and Santana would solve their bullpen woes and give them one of the deeper relief corps going into October. Like Bednar, Santana won't be a free agent until after the 2026 season. Mason Miller The Phillies were first linked to Mason Miller in the offseason when they reportedly offered third baseman Alec Bohm for the Athletics closer. That trade, for obvious reasons, did not happen. Miller's ERA is over a run higher than his 2024 All-Star season (3.76 to 2.49) but that's mainly because of a rough month of May where he gave up 10 earned runs in 8 2/3 innings. He's only given up four earned runs since June 1, including none in the month of July. Miller still remains effective, topping all of baseball in fastball velocity (101.1) and strikeout percentage (39.1), while in the 99th percentile in expected batting average (.180) and whiff percentage (42.8). Miller won't be a free agent until after the 2029 season, so if the Phillies want to pull off a blockbuster deal for him by July 31, they will have to offer much more than Bohm. Related Headlines NFL games today: Lions vs Chargers kicks off NFL Hall of Fame Game UFC Bantamweight Rankings: Where Does Petr Yan Land After UFC Abu Dhabi Win? Reds Acquire Ke'Bryan Hayes in Blockbuster Trade for 'Much Needed Change of Scenery' UFC Middleweight Rankings: Reinier de Ridder Continues Rise After Win Over Robert Whittaker
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cleveland blows 9th-inning lead, loses 10th consecutive game
CLEVELAND — What's the worst thing to see after a month of being arguably the worst offense in baseball? Arguably the best starting pitcher on the mound would be pretty high up on the list. The Guardians are last in the majors in runs scored over the last month, they're on a nine-game losing streak and they've been shut out five times during that stretch — and now they'll face Tarik Skubal and the Detroit Tigers on July 6 at Progressive Field. Follow along here for live score updates, analysis and highlights from the Guardians-Tigers game on July 6. Tigers beat the Guardians The Guardians have lost to the Tigers 7-2. Their losing streak has reached 10 games. Considering the circumstances, this is without question the most back-breaking loss of Cleveland's season thus far. Cade Smith leaves game after being hit with a comebacker And now Cade Smith is leaving the game after being hit with a comebacker. He walked off under his own power. Tiger crush Cade Smith for six-run 10th inning In a pretty stunning inning, the Tigers have knocked around Cade Smith for six runs. After Trey Sweeney's three-run home run, Riley Greene added another home run to put the Tigers up 7-1, completely stunning Progressive Field. In the top of the ninth, the Guardians were one strike away from a shutout win, and they're now trailing 7-1 in the 10th. Trey Sweeney hits 3-run home run off Cade Smith in 10th inning The Tigers have a 4-1 lead in the 10th. The visiting dugout is going wild, the home dugout is dejected. With Cade Smith on the mound, Javy Baez blooped a single to right field to put runners on the corners (including the free runner). Trey Sweeney, a left-handed hitter, then sliced a three-run home run off the left-field foul pole for a home run, giving the Tigers their first lead of the day in the 10th inning. This would feel like a back-breaking loss for the Guardians if they can't recover. Guardians, Tigers going to extra innings The Guardians nearly won it in the top of the ninth, and they nearly won it in the bottom of the ninth, but this game is going to extra innings. Angel Martinez opened the bottom of the ninth with a double to right field to put the potential winning run in scoring position. Nolan Jones and Bo Naylor, collectively, could only move him to third. With two outs, Daniel Schneemann lined a ball to the left side, but it was caught by Javier Baez. The Guardians and Tigers head to the 10th tied 1-1. Cade Smith is entering the game. Tigers tie it in the 9th on a wild pitch by Emmanuel Clase The Guardians were one strike away from snapping their nine-game losing streak and beating Tarik Skubal and the Tigers — and then it quite literally slipped through their fingers, in a way. Emmanuel Clase, in the top of the ninth, put the tying run on base via a hit-by-pitch. Pinch runner Zach McKinstry then stole second and moved to third on a grounder. With two outs and the tying run 90 feet away, Clase had two strikes on Parker Meadows looking to end the game, but a pitch in the dirt trickled behind catcher Bo Naylor, and McKinstry scored the tying run. Steven Kwan gives Guardians lead over Tigers in 8th inning The Guardians were able to get Tarik Skubal out of the game, and they've taken the lead in the eighth inning. Austin Hedges singled and was followed by Brayan Rocchio, who drew a walk against Tigers reliever Bailey Horn. That led to Steven Kwan, who ripped a double to right field to score the first run of the game and give the Guardians a 1-0 led. Kwan is 3-for-4 today. The Guardians pitching staff has put together another terrific day, and this time, Cleveland might be able to actually highlight it. Emmanuel Clase is warming in the bullpen. Hunter Gaddis pitches 6th inning; Tarik Skubal escapes jam as Guardians, Tigers still tied Hunter Gaddis pitched a quick seventh, and Tarik Skubal pitched around a double from Angel Martinez by striking out Johnathan Rodriguez to end the inning, and the Guardians and Tigers will go to the eighth inning with both teams still searching for the first run of the day. It feels like the the first team to score, wins. Skubal now has a 10-strikeout day with three hits allowed in even innings. It's his 13th double-digit strikeout game this season, which leads the majors. Tarik Skubal, Gavin Williams in a pitcher's duel; Guardians, Tigers scoreless through 6 innings Tarik Skubal and Gavin Williams have both been outstanding today, with each delivering six shutout innings. Williams walked three but allowed only one hit along with eight strikeouts, throwing 97 pitches. Hunter Gaddis is entering the game for the Guardians to open the seventh inning. Skubal has given up just two base runners all day (two singles). He's also struck out eight. Skubal, though, has been more efficient, only needing 78 pitches to get to the seventh inning. It's been a pitching masterclass from both starters. And the Guardians pitching staff continues to be excellent, the offense simply hasn't been there to make it count. Steven Kwan makes highlight reel catch while crashing into left-field wall Gavin Williams is through the third inning, in part thanks to Steven Kwan, who made a tremendous catch while hitting the left-field wall to rob Colt Keith of extra bases. Guardians, Tigers score: Gavin Williams, Tarik Skubal through 2 scoreless innings Tarik Skubal is through two hitless innings with two strikeouts. Gavin Williams has nearly matched up, only allowing a walk through his first two frames. Below is some pregame information. MLB Standings: American League Central The American League Central Division standings entering July 6: Tigers 56-34 Twins 43-46 (12.5) Royals 42-48 (14) Guardians 40-47 (14.5) White Sox 30-59 (25.5) Guardians news: 'He's a very old man': Carlos Santana has career month in May 2025 Guardians schedule | Upcoming games The Guardians host the the division-leading Detroit Tigers for three games over the July 4th weekend before heading on the road for a seven-game trip to Houston (three games) and then Chicago to face the White Sox (four games), which will lead into the All-Star break. How can I watch, stream or listen to the Guardians vs Tigers game? The game on July 6 can be viewed locally on AT&T U-verse (channel 1736), COX (channel 80), DIRECTV Satellite and Streaming (channel 662), FuboTV and Spectrum (channel 1306). It can also be streamed via MLB's direct-to-consumer streaming subscription ( for $99.99 a season or $19.99 a month. And it'll be available on the radio via WTAM 1100, WMMS 100.7 and WARF 1350. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians score vs Detroit Tigers highlights, game updates
Reuters
3 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Guardians, adjusting to closer's absence, face Rockies again
July 29 - The Cleveland Guardians' postseason chances took a major hit on Monday when closer Emmanuel Clase was placed on non-disciplinary paid leave, joining starting pitcher Luis Ortiz on MLB's administrative leave list amid gambling investigations. The Guardians took another step in the wrong direction later in the day, when the visiting Colorado Rockies rallied against Cade Smith in the ninth inning for an 8-6 win. The three-game series continues Tuesday when Guardians left-hander Logan Allen (6-9, 4.16 ERA) faces Rockies right-hander Tanner Gordon (2-2, 3.13). Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt chose to maintain a stiff upper lip after the gut-wrenching Monday loss that saw his newly installed closer retire a lone batter while giving up four runs. Thanks to Smith's throwing error on an attempted sacrifice bunt, only one of the runs was earned. "Definitely not a normal Cade outing," Vogt said. "He just looked like he got a little bit sped up there. He typically has a slow heartbeat pitching that spot. These things happen, but yeah, I still have full confidence in Cade and all of our guys." Perhaps no one took Clase's stunning departure harder than Smith, who filled in for the three-time former All-Star when Clase endured a rough stretch in April. "That (stinks)," Smith said of Clase's departure. "I mean, he's a part of the team. It sucks for him to be not here." Smith, a 6-foot-5, 230-pound Canadian, is now 3-for-6 in save situations this season, but he has been a seventh- and eighth-inning anchor since making the Guardians out of spring training in 2024. Over 121 games, Smith has an 8-5 record, four saves and a 2.39 ERA. "I'm going to do whatever the team asks me," Smith said. "My job is to be here to compete, to prepare, to be ready for when that bullpen phone rings. And so that doesn't change." Allen has dropped back-to-back outings, giving up seven runs on 15 hits in 11 2/3 total innings against the Athletics and the Baltimore Orioles. He has only pitched against Colorado once, when he was rocked for seven runs over 1 2/3 innings in a road loss on May 29, 2024. The Rockies are almost certain to finish with the worst record in the major leagues. They are sitting at 28-78, and they could approach the 2024 Chicago White Sox's modern-era record of 121 losses. However, in the series opener on Monday, Colorado looked nothing like its lowly mark. Tyler Freeman tied his career high with three RBIs, capped by the go-ahead single in the ninth, and rookie Warming Bernabel became the fifth player in team history to sock two homers in his first three career games. Freeman, who was acquired from Cleveland for outfielder Nolan Jones on March 22, has blossomed in a full-time role as a right fielder/designated hitter. The ex-utility man is batting .333 with 16 RBIs and nine stolen bases in his last 45 games, while Jones is 5-for-39 (.128) since July 12. "I know (Vogt) loves Tyler. Well, I second that," Colorado interim manager Warren Schaeffer said. "He's been incredible, brought a lot to our team all season. I love how he plays. You love when a guy goes out and gives it his all -- and then some -- every day." Gordon is 1-3 with a 7.36 ERA in four career interleague starts, but this will be his initial appearance against Cleveland. He threw six scoreless innings in his latest start, beating the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday after being recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque. --Field Level Media
Washington Post
3 days ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
Rockies score 4 runs in 9th inning against Cade Smith to rally for 8-6 win over Guardians
CLEVELAND — Tyler Freeman singled home the go-ahead run off Cade Smith as Colorado scored four times in the ninth inning Monday night, rallying the Rockies to an 8-6 victory over the Cleveland Guardians after the first pitch was delayed 2 1/2 hours by rain. Smith (2-4) moved into the closer role earlier in the day when Emmanuel Clase was placed on non-disciplinary paid leave as part of a Major League Baseball investigation into sports betting. Smith gave up four runs, one earned, and got only one out after entering with a 5-4 lead.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rockies score 4 runs in 9th inning against Cade Smith to rally for 8-6 win over Guardians
CLEVELAND (AP) — Tyler Freeman singled home the go-ahead run off Cade Smith as Colorado scored four times in the ninth inning, rallying the Rockies to an 8-6 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Monday night. Smith (2-4) moved into the closer role earlier in the day when Emmanuel Clase was placed on non-disciplinary paid leave as part of a Major League Baseball investigation into sports betting. Smith gave up four runs, one earned, and got only one out after entering with a 5-4 lead. Colorado scored the tying run on a throwing error by Smith, bringing rookie Warming Bernabel around from second after his leadoff double. Hunter Goodman had an RBI double in the ninth after hitting a solo homer in the eighth off Hunter Gaddis. Tyler Kinley (1-3) tossed a scoreless eighth and Seth Halvorsen gave up an RBI single to Nolan Jones in the ninth before earning his 11th save. The Guardians went in front 5-3 with a five-run seventh, highlighted by pinch-hitter Bo Naylor's three-run homer against Jake Bird. Carlos Santana drew a bases-loaded walk from Victor Vodnik to put Cleveland ahead. Freeman drove in three runs against his former team and Bernabel hit his second homer in three big league games. Bradley Blalock struck out a career-high seven in six scoreless innings for the Rockies, who have the worst record in the majors at 28-78. Key moment Brenton Doyle put down a sacrifice bunt with nobody out in the ninth and reached second base safely when Smith threw the ball wildly to first. Doyle wound up scoring the go-ahead run. Key stat The Rockies sent 10 batters to the plate in the ninth against Smith and Tim Herrin, collecting three hits, two walks and a hit batter. Up next Rockies RHP Tanner Gordon (2-2, 3.13 ERA) faces LHP Logan Allen (6-9, 4.16 ERA) in the middle game of the series Tuesday. ___ AP MLB:
