Prosecutors Narrow Focus to 18 Pitches in Emmanuel Clase Gambling Trial

Federal prosecutors have identified 18 individual pitches thrown by Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase that will form the core of the government’s case in a trial scheduled for November. The pitches, spanning 17 games from May 2023 through May 2025, include a 93-mph slider delivered to Detroit Tigers’ Matt Vierling in the ninth inning of the October 5, 2024, American League Division Series, which was out of the strike zone as the Guardians won 7-0.

According to court filings, prosecutors allege Clase provided advance details about the pitch’s result and velocity to bettors, who then placed wagers based on that information. The filings also note that Guardians starter Luis Ortiz is accused of giving similar advance information about two of his pitches, though the specific pitches were not listed.

Clase, Ortiz and two other defendants face charges of wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy, and have all entered not-guilty pleas. Jury selection is set to begin in November.

"The government will only seek to prove that for one or more of approximately 18 of Clase's pitches, and for two of Ortiz's pitches, the defendants provided advance inside information about their pitches to others, who bet on them," U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella said.