CLEVELAND — The Guardians haven't wrapped up a playoff berth just yet, but fans at Progressive Field this homestand might have already been treated to a preview of how manager Stephen Vogt might deploy their league-best bullpen in the postseason.
In a word: aggressively.
The Guardians bullpen has been a weapon all season , and it's perhaps the biggest reason why they're on the verge of clinching a playoff spot and likely the American League Central Division.
And in the playoffs, when every game means more and there are more off days built into the schedule, bullpens can be utilized even more than in the regular season, when managers must balance season-long workloads.
That might especially be true for the 2024 Guardians. And, recently, Vogt offered a possible snapshot of how it might look.
In three consecutive games, a Guardians starting pitcher was taken out before he threw 80 pitches. There were some other factors involved, but it was evidence the Guardians boasting such a strong bullpen means they can afford to take a starter out before he has to face an opposing lineup for a third time.
Joey Cantillo threw 78 pitches in his last outing before being taken out. Ben Lively exited the game at 59 pitches. Matthew Boyd , who struggled, threw only 64 before he hit the showers.
The Guardians will have the option to have a very short leash in the postseason when necessary. With the starting rotation going through a number of changes and some inconsistency, they can lean on the bullpen as much as possible. It means the Guardians can be a little more proactive when the opposing lineup turns over for a third time.
Those three outings don't necessarily reflect how they'd be utilized in a playoff setting, but it could very well end up being a blueprint for the Guardians in October. And the starters know they have some elite pitchers following them into games.
"Have fun," Lively said, drawing out the last word in a half sarcastic tone, mock speaking to opposing hitters knowing the bullpen is coming in behind him. "You see Cade [Smith] coming in, it's like he punches out the first guy on three pitches, all heaters. … They're electric, and it's so cool."
Emmanuel Clase is garnering American League Cy Young consideration and is unanimously considered the best closer in baseball. His responsibility is the ninth inning .
But in terms of how the bullpen can be better utilized, and how it impacts a manager's decision when to take out a starting pitcher, that is more due to Smith, Hunter Gaddis , Tim Herrin and others who have made the Guardians bullpen not just the best, but the deepest in baseball.
After all, it is not Clase who leads the Guardians bullpen in fWAR with 2.2. It's Smith, at 2.6. In his rookie season, Smith has been one of the game's best relievers, sporting a 2.00 ERA, a 1.46 FIP (meaning he's actually pitched better than his 2.00 ERA would indicate based on some luck factors) and a 12.25 K/9 rate.
Said pitching coach Carl Willis, "It has been indescribable to see [Smith] come in and do what he has done."
Gaddis, with his elevated velocity this season , has a 1.44 ERA. Herrin, the lefty, has a 1.96 ERA. Eli Morgan has a 1.75 ERA. Pedro Avila has a 3.41 ERA and has offered the Guardians some valuable flexibility and a higher number of innings per appearance. Andrew Walters was only recently called up , but the Guardians are bullish on his velocity and repertoire.
Clase has the back end duties in the ninth inning. But it's those relievers — Smith, Gaddis, Herrin, Morgan, Avila and perhaps Walters — who offer Vogt a high level of flexibility when it comes to his hook for starting pitchers.
Come October, the Guardians bullpen has a chance to be more valuable than any other in the game. And they'll likely be needed to live up to that description.
Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis1@gannett.com. Read more about the Guardians at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/cleveland-guardians. Follow him on Threads at @ByRyanLewis .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians 2024 bullpen could be utilized more in postseason
