Cade Smith nails four straight outs, Guardians hold on for 3-2 win in Game 3 of the ALCS

Cleveland turned to its postseason closer for more than a standard ninth-inning role, and Cade Smith delivered a four-out save after the Rays put the tying run in scoring position.

By The Apex Times Newsroom2 min readAI-assisted Apex article

The Guardians used Cade Smith in a high-leverage window and got exactly what they were looking for, as the right-hander worked around a tense eighth inning and then retired four straight batters to secure a 3-2 win over the Rays in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series.

With Cleveland leading 3-2 entering the eighth, Petey Halpin hit a two-run homer and the Guardians’ bullpen held the advantage late, setting up Smith for the finish. The Rays threatened after Richie Palacios doubled off Hunter Gaddis with one out, then advanced to third on a Taylor Walls groundout, leaving the tying run 90 feet away.

Smith began the close with the leadoff man, Yandy Díaz, and ended the inning by striking him out on a 98-mph four-seamer up in the zone. He then faced Jonathan Aranda and retired him by inducing a flyout to center.

In the heart of the Rays’ order, Smith worked for outs against Junior Caminero, who missed a first-pitch splitter and chased on pitches after that before Smith struck him out again, this time on a four-seamer up and in to make it two down.

Victor Mesa Jr. followed with a flyout to left field in foul territory, giving Smith a four-out save and extinguishing the Rays’ final chance to tie the game.

Smith’s workload reflects a postseason plan that goes beyond the ninth inning, with manager Stephen Vogt forecasting Cleveland would deploy him in multiple late-game scenarios. Entering the game, Smith had two days of rest, and he had appeared in seven of the Guardians’ eight postseason games, according to the Elias Sports Bureau’s historical note that he is the only pitcher to appear in 19 or more postseason games across a 21-team-game span since his 2024 rookie season.

Why It Matters

For the ALCS title picture, Game 3’s result keeps the series headed toward a World Series berth for Cleveland, with bullpen execution again proving decisive.
Cleveland’s late-game plan hinges on using its best arm in multiple late spots, and Smith’s four-out save reinforced that strategy.
The Guardians also showed they can protect a narrow lead late, after a home-run swing from Halpin and a sequence of outs that limited the Rays to one scoring opportunity at a time.
Smith’s postseason usage pattern underscores how central the closer has been to Cleveland’s October, with him featuring in most of the team’s playoff games.

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Key Facts

The Guardians defeated the Rays 3-2 in Game 3 of the ALCS.
Cade Smith earned a four-out save by retiring the four batters he faced.
Smith worked the Rays’ late leverage moments after Cleveland’s 3-2 lead was protected in the late innings.
Petey Halpin’s two-run homer helped put Cleveland ahead 3-2, and the Rays’ tying rally began with Richie Palacios’ double.
Yandy Díaz led off the ninth and was struck out by Smith, ending the inning.
Junior Caminero struck out and Victor Mesa Jr. flied out foul territory to finish the game.