Gavin Williams delivered 5 1/3 scoreless innings, fanning five and walking one, as the Cleveland Guardians snapped a three-game skid with a 3-1 win in Phoenix against the Arizona Diamondbacks. CJ Kayfus produced two hits, including a 406-foot homer in the second that gave Cleveland a 1-0 lead, and Brayan Rocchio connected for a homer in the fifth to push the cushion to 3-0. Cade Smith closed it out with a save, striking out Ketel Marte to cap the victory.

Arizona stranded 10 and went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position, while Zac Gallen allowed three runs on five hits, including both homers, with three strikeouts and no walks. Gallen’s season has seen a career-high in homers allowed. Cleveland closed within three games of the AL wild-card cutoff. Rocchio has been heating up, hitting safely in 14 of his last 16 games with a .315 clip and nine RBIs in that span, while Kayfus has homered in both road trips since his Triple-A promotion.

Cleveland hosts Miami at Progressive Field as the Guardians ride a five-of-six hot streak into a matchup that could swing on bullpen leverage and patient hitting. Janson Junk starts for Miami, a ground-ball pitcher who has kept walks tolerable but surrendered more hits, while Logan Allen counters for Cleveland, bringing steadiness and a favorable home ERA. The Guardians’ recent run has been powered by a deep bullpen and timely offense, even as their lineup ranks modestly in runs.

Miami’s lineup has shown bursts from Kyle Manzardo, and Junk’s style could spark extra-base chances at the spacious Cleveland outfield gaps. Cleveland’s bullpen—Emmanuel Clase, Hunter Gaddis and Cade Smith—has been a backbone in close games, underscoring a late-inning edge. The ballpark’s factors tilt toward run prevention for Cleveland, making this a tight, bullpen-driven clash with the potential for late scoring opportunities.

Fantasy angles center on Allen’s home comfort, Junk’s contact-heavy approach against a patient Cleveland lineup, and the Marlins’ righty-lefty platoon dynamics. Expect a grind-it-out game with a few bursts of power and a bullpen battle that could decide the outcome in the final innings.

The recent MLB trade deadline has significantly altered the landscape for fantasy baseball, creating new opportunities for saves from a variety of relief pitchers. With many teams reshuffling their bullpens, several closers have emerged as valuable pickups for fantasy managers looking to enhance their rosters.

Dennis Santana of the Pittsburgh Pirates has stepped into the closer role after the departure of David Bednar to the Yankees, despite a rocky start in his new position. In Cleveland, Cade Smith is now filling in for Emmanuel Clase, who is on paid leave due to a betting investigation, while Kevin Ginkel has taken over closing duties for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Other notable mentions include Jose A. Ferrer for the Washington Nationals and Randy Rodriguez for the San Francisco Giants, both of whom have shown promise in their new responsibilities.

As Fantasy Baseball enters Week 19 of the 2025 MLB season, several key pickups are rising in priority after the recent trade deadline. Andrew Vaughn of the Milwaukee Brewers is making waves with a blistering .452 batting average, four home runs, and 12 RBIs over his last eight games. Meanwhile, Cade Smith and Randy Rodriguez are emerging as must-add relievers for any savvy fantasy manager.

Injuries are shaking up lineups; the oblique strain suffered by Miguel Vargas of the Chicago White Sox could open opportunities for other players. With some teams jockeying for playoff positions and others evaluating talent for the future, staying on top of player movements and performance trends is crucial. This week’s waiver wire priorities hinge on performance and potential, making it a pivotal time to enhance your roster for the stretch run.

Fantasy managers have eagerly anticipated how Cade Smith of the Cleveland Guardians would perform as a closer, following impressive stats since his debut last season. With Emmanuel Clase, the team's incumbent closer, placed on indefinite leave due to an ongoing MLB investigation, Smith is set to fill that role. Despite a rocky outing against the Colorado Rockies, where he allowed four runs (only one earned), his overall season stats remain stellar, boasting a 2.33 ERA and a substantial 35.1% strikeout rate.

With Smith now expected to get more opportunities, roster percentages are climbing, with an uptick from 17.3% to 20.8% in ESPN standard leagues. While Smith's performance against the Rockies raised some concerns, it's important to remember that he's been a top-performing relief pitcher with the highest fWAR among his peers. As trade deadlines approach, the Guardians may also consider moves involving Smith or other relief options, but for now, he represents a valuable asset for fantasy rosters.