Cade Smith of Abbotsford, British Columbia had a fantastic Major League Baseball regular season, and is now heading into the postseason trying to win a World Series with the Cleveland Guardians. Smith was the 2026 MLB co-leader in saves with 41. The American League All-Star was tied in saves with Bryan Baker of the Tampa Bay Rays.
Saves were one of two statistical categories Smith led the Major Leagues in during 2026. He also led the Majors with 60 games finished.
Smith’s 41 saves in 2026 were a career high. During 69 games and 74 innings pitched, Smith had an impressive record of six wins and one loss with an earned run average of 1.95. He gave up 48 hits, 16 earned runs, five home runs and 23 walks to go along with one hold, 107 strikeouts and a spectacular WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched) of 0.96.
Smith’s lone hold came on September 26 in an 11-5 Guardians win over the Kansas City Royals. Smith threw two thirds of an inning and had two fly ball outs. He threw five pitches and all five pitches were strikes.
The Guardians are one of four Major League Baseball franchises that have a bye to the second round in the postseason. They got the bye for having the second best record in the American League among the three divisional winners. The Guardians are joined in the second round with the Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers.
