Thu Oct 17 23:40:00 UTC 2024: ## Guardians’ Bullpen Shines, Clase Silences Critics in ALDS Clincher

**CLEVELAND** – The Cleveland Guardians’ dominant bullpen, spearheaded by All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase, shut down the Detroit Tigers in a thrilling 7-3 victory on Saturday, clinching the AL Division Series and advancing to the AL Championship Series.

Clase, who had faced criticism after surrendering a game-deciding home run to Kerry Carpenter in Game 2, silenced his doubters with a dominant performance in Game 5. In a tense rematch with Carpenter in the eighth inning, Clase blew a 100.5 mph cutter past the Tigers’ slugger for a crucial strikeout, stranding a runner on second base.

“People were saying, ‘Oh, he’s my daddy,’ and all that,” Clase said through an interpreter. “But for me, [the homer] wasn’t my best pitch. For me, today was an opportunity that I had more to show, and that’s the real Emmanuel Clase.”

The Guardians’ bullpen was a force throughout the series, with several key contributors stepping up in high-leverage situations. Rookie Cade Smith, a contender for the AL Rookie of the Year Award, pitched in all five games and finished the series with a staggering 12 strikeouts, the most by any reliever in a single Division Series in AL/NL history.

The Guardians’ bullpen dominance was not limited to individual performances. Manager Stephen Vogt employed a strategic approach, utilizing eight different arms throughout the game, ensuring a fresh and capable pitcher was always ready to take the mound.

“We had a little bit of a script, but it went pretty close,” Vogt said. “There were a couple of times that we had to kind of go off the script, but at the same time it was watching the game, seeing what the game is telling us to do. … We’ve won with our bullpen all year, and that’s been who we are.”

With the series win, the Guardians now face the New York Yankees in the AL Championship Series, beginning on Monday in the Bronx. The team’s dominant bullpen will be a key factor as they look to continue their playoff run.

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