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Smith's Historic Postseason Workload Unmatched in MLB
14 Oct
Summary
- Cade Smith appeared in 18 of 19 postseason games for Guardians.
- He is the only pitcher in MLB history with this workload.
- Smith maintains a 2.14 career postseason ERA across three Octobers.
Cleveland Guardians closer Cade Smith is shouldering a postseason workload that is unprecedented in Major League Baseball history. He has appeared in 18 of his team's 19 postseason games played since the start of the 2024 playoffs. This remarkable stretch makes him the sole pitcher in postseason lore to participate in 18 or more games within a 19-game span.
Smith's historic usage has not come at the expense of performance. He boasts a career 2.14 ERA in the postseason across three October appearances. His contributions cover nine games in the 2024 playoffs, three in the 2025 AL Wild Card Series, and all six games in the current MLB postseason. This season alone, he has allowed just one earned run over 7 2/3 innings.
The 27-year-old's reliability extends to the regular season, where he earned an All-Star nod in 2026 with a 1.95 ERA and 41 saves. Since his debut in March 2024, Smith has accumulated a 20-7 record with a 2.26 ERA and 314 strikeouts in 219 relief appearances.
