With Game 2 of the ALCS threatening to get out of hand, Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt called on Cade Smith early to keep his team in the game.
The Canadian rookie reliever, who has developed into one of the best bullpen arms in baseball this season, came through in a big way against the New York Yankees on Tuesday.
After the Guardians intentionally walked Juan Soto to load the bases for, gulp, Aaron Judge with one out in the bottom of the second and the Yankees leading 2-0, Vogt replaced starter Tanner Bibee with Smith.
Judge tacked on one more run with a sacrifice fly to centre field before Smith ended the threat with a strikeout of Austin Wells.
Smith returned for the third and retired all three Yankees he faced.
The 25-year-old Smith, from Abbotsford, B.C., was excellent for the Guardians in their five-game win over the Detroit Tigers in the ALDS. Smith had a 1.42 ERA in 6.1 innings while appearing in all five games, allowing just one run on two hits while striking out 12 and walking one.
Smith emerged as a strong set-up man for closer Emmanuel Clase during the regular season, finishing with a 1.91 ERA in 74 games.
Smith wasn't even expected to crack the team's Opening Day roster before injuries opened a spot.
The Guardians signed the University of Hawaii product in 2020 after Smith did not sign with the Minnesota Twins, who picked him in the 16th round of the 2017 MLB Draft.
Smith is one of four Canadians on the Guardians' roster, joining brothers Josh and Bo Naylor of Mississauga, Ont., and fellow reliever Erik Sabrowski of Edmonton.
