Guardians bullpen beginning to take traditional form

CLEVELAND — There are new faces and some filling new roles, but it's beginning to look like the same old effective Guardians bullpen. After a rough start, Cleveland's relievers have returned to their traditional form for the two-time defending Central Division champions, ranking among the top 10 in multiple categories, including strikeouts and opposing batting average while lowering their ERA to 3.95. "We got a lot of guys that have pitched deep into the playoffs the last couple years, a lot of appearances," catcher Austin Hedges said. "It's really hard to come off of a 75 appearance season right into spring training. You got your bumps and bruises in spring and then also the league starts learning you. Guys know when they come play Cleveland, they're going to face the best bullpen in the league and they're going to come in with a really, really good game plan. "And that's what's happening to some guys, and now our guys are giving the counter. They got the counterpunch to what the league is trying to adjust to them, and it's been really impressive to watch our guys respond to the league making an adjustment against them and it's been our turn to make the adjustment. And I think the success that they're having, it's no surprise to us in here, but we expect it to be the same going forward." Looking backward would be a painful process. With right-hander Hunter Gaddis beginning the season on the injured list, nearly everyone beckoned from the bullpen struggled, including new additions Shawn Armstrong and Connor Brogdon and, more importantly, first-year fulltime closer Cade Smith. Smith is back on track and the rest of the relief corps appears to have recovered, though Brogdon was designated for assignment and Armstrong is on the IL. "The bullpen's been great. I really want to tip my cap to them on this (recent) 13-game stretch," manager Stephen Vogt said. "They covered a ton of innings, most of them going three out of four (games), back-to-backs. They were all running hot. We had guys step up on nights when guys were down. It's not just three or four guys getting it done. It was all eight of them, nine. We made a couple moves along this 13-game stretch, and whoever it was we gave the ball to was phenomenal. They just stepped up and stopped games." "They've been locked down," starting pitcher Parker Messick said. "I mean, we have all the confidence in the world in every single one of them that they're going to come in and get the job done. They've been phenomenal." One reliever stepping out of the shadows and into a high-leverage role is Erik Sabrowski. The left-hander was limited by injuries last year, but he's been on the mark from the get-go, beginning the season with nine scoreless outings. He owns a 1.86 ERA and has allowed runs in only two of his 22 appearances, striking out 35 batters over 19 1/3 innings. "He's got an elite fastball. I mean, his fastball is real, and then he's got the two breaking balls," Vogt said. "And if you talk to Erik, nothing shakes this guy. He comes into bases loaded, nobody out and walks to the mound like, 'What's up guys?' It's just like he's reporting for duty. He's just so pumped to be a part of this team and be pitching and he's got three very good pitches and he's not afraid of anybody, and that's a really good recipe to be a good reliever." "It's a ton of fun to watch. I think he's pitching phenomenally well," Smith said of his pen pal and fellow Canadian Sabrowski. "I'm really happy for him to see that kind of success. The injury history that he's been through, it's really admirable to see how far he's gotten to this point. I'm really happy for him." Since the early stumble, Smith has been top shelf as well. The right-hander has his ERA down to 3.08 after allowing runs in only two of his last 14 games, and is tied for the major league-lead with 13 saves in 15 chances. Sabrowski and Smith each struck out the side over the final two innings Wednesday afternoon at Progressive Field to preserve a 4-2 sweep-clinching win over the Angels. "It's so fun to be a part of that group, to see the way they fight," Smith said of the bullpen. "We just bear down and compete together. That's what's been so fun, so special for me at least, about the last few years, to see the way we stick together. We're down there to do what we can to help the team win, and if that's holding a lead or stopping the other team's momentum, whatever it looks like, I know that everybody that's down there is pulling for the same goal." And at least for now, heading in the same direction. Contact Chris Assenheimer at (440) 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him on X @CAwesomeheimer.