As the MLB postseason heats up, the Cleveland Guardians are facing a major conundrum - their elite bullpen, once the backbone of their team, is running on fumes. At a time when every game counts, the strain on their star pitchers is evident. Emmanuel Clase, a crucial cog in the Guardians' relief machine, has been shouldering an inordinate burden, having appeared in six out of the team's nine postseason games so far.
This level of usage is unprecedented and unsustainable in the long run. With the stakes higher than ever, Clase's over-reliance in high-pressure situations can spell disaster for the team if not managed carefully. Pitching in six out of nine games means Clase has had minimal downtime to recover and recharge. By the time the season reaches its climax, tired arms often become liabilities, and this risk can ultimately cost the Guardians their season.
Another standout reliever in the Guardians' bullpen, Cade Smith, is also at risk of burnout. Smith has pitched in all but one of Cleveland's postseason games, cementing his status as a go-to hurler for manager Terry Francona. However, the wear and tear on his arm can exacerbate existing concerns. Francona must find ways to share the workload more effectively, so that Smith and Clase aren't left shouldering an unfair share of the burden.
The Guardians' inability to fully rest their ace relievers stems from inconsistent performances by some of their other middle relievers. When starters falter early or fail to go deep into games, bullpen call-ups often serve as a stopgap solution. Effective as this tactic may seem in the short term, over-reliance on Clase and Smith poses significant long-term repercussions for the Guardians.
The injuries that have plagued some key Guardians players have not helped, either. Any effort to secure rest for their top bullpen aces must remain top-of-mind for Cleveland. There's still time to regroup and alter course before suffering the devastating consequences of overworking these talented, but exhausted, relievers.