CLEVELAND, Ohio — Emmanuel Clase said the drama the led up to his record-setting 47th save on Wednesday can only help him as the Guardians prepare for what they hope is a deep playoff run.
“I’m really happy because it’s a goal of mine,” Clase said via Guardians interpreter Agustin Rivero after Cleveland’s 5-2 win against the Reds at Progressive Field. “That was a reminder that everything in life sometimes can be hard. Even for me in those circumstances, it has a little more value that we had to fight a little bit to secure the save.
Clase’s record-setting 47th save on Wednesday also extended his streak of consecutive saves converted to 34, trailing Jose Mesa (38 in 1994-95) for the longest run in club history. Clase’s streak is currently the longest by any major league reliever in a single season since Zack Britton converted 47 straight saves for Baltimore in 2016.
But the streak was in jeopardy against the Reds as Clase loaded the bases with nobody out in the ninth inning before retiring the next three batters he faced. It was reminiscent of the escape job he performed on Aug. 11 in Minnesota when he loaded the bases with a two-run lead and got a strikeout and a ground ball double play to finish things off. The three-time All-Star closer said passing tests like that can only help him as Cleveland moves toward the playoffs, and his confidence level in himself is always at “100 percent.”
“To have those situations testing me for what is yet to come, I’m excited to be able to compete in those circumstances,” Clase said via Rivero.
Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez advances to third after Cleveland Guardians first baseman Josh Naylor hits a sacrifice fly to center field against the Cincinnati Reds in the seventh inning. Cleveland Guardians designated hitter Kyle Manzardo scored on the play. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
40/40 chase
José Ramírez this weekend’s final series against Houston with 38 home runs and 40 steals, looking to become the first Cleveland player to join the 40/40 club. Ramírez would join Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, the National League MVP frontrunner, as the only two players to reach 40/40 in the same season. Ohtani zoomed past both marks in August and has since become the first major leaguer with a 50/50 season.
Already this season, Ramírez joined Alfonso Soriano (2002 and 2006) as the only players in MLB history with at least 38 home runs, 38 steals and 38 doubles in the same season when he collected a two-base hit in the sixth inning Wednesday against Reds righty Anthony Santillan.
When asked what a 40/40 season would mean to him, Ramírez said it is obviously a goal not just for this season but every year of his career.
“That’s kind of like the mindset since I left the Dominican Republic,” Ramírez said via Rivero. “I want to be part of that select group of few players who have achieved that record.”
Cleveland Guardians designated hitter Kyle Manzardo celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the Cincinnati Reds in the first inning. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
Home cooking
The Guardians enter the final series of the regular season at Progressive Field with the best home record in the American League at 50-28. It’s the club’s best winning percentage at home since winning 53 games in 2016.
Cleveland has secured at least a top-2 seed in the AL, a bye into the Division Series round and home field advantage in that best-of-five series. It is the first time the club has captured a top-2 seed since 2017 when Cleveland won 102 games.
The Guardians trail the Yankees by one game entering play Friday. The Yankee own the season series tiebreaker over Cleveland, 4-2. New York’s magic number to clinch the top seed is 2. Any combination of Guardians losses or Yankees victories that equals 2 will give New York the top seed.
Best of September
Lane Thomas has slugged seven home runs since Sept. 1, tying the Guardians outfielder with Houston’s Yordan Alvarez, New York’s Aaron Judge, Seattle’s Julio Rodriguez and Angels outfielder Taylor Ward for the most in the AL. Thomas also ranks third in slugging percentage (.602) and tied for third in RBI (20) in the AL this month.
Rookie Kyle Manzardo is hitting .309 with five home runs and a .995 OPS since he was recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Sept. 1.
Will Brennan is also enjoying a splendid September, hitting .325 in his last 16 games.
Best of September 2
Cleveland’s league-leading bullpen has posted a 1.26 ERA in 23 September games, the best mark in the majors with 13 earned runs in 92 2/3 relief innings.
Entering play Friday, Guardians relievers are the best in the majors this season in ERA (2.59), hits per nine innings (6.48), home runs per nine (0.73) and WHIP (1.04). They also have thrown three or more scoreless innings in a game 59 times, the most in the big leagues.
Cleveland’s 2.59 bullpen ERA is the lowest by an American League club since Kansas City (2.55) in 2013, and the lowest in franchise history since 1954 (2.52).
If you or a loved one has questions and needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-589-9966 or the National Council on Program Gambling Helpline (NCPG) at 1-800-522-4700 or visit 1800gambler.net for more information. 21+ and present in Ohio. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
