Feds reveal how many pitches Emmanuel Clase allegedly rigged in gambling case

Federal prosecutors have identified 18 pitches, including one from a 2024 playoff game, that will be the focus of their gambling case against Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase, which is set for trial in November, according to court documents filed Friday.

In the documents, prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York included a list of the individual pitches that Clase threw in 18 games spanning from May 19, 2023, to May 28, 2025. Clase is accused of sharing advance information about the pitches with bettors, who allegedly placed wagers on the result and velocity of the pitches.

The players face wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy charges. The case could also have an impact on the regulated sports betting industry. Legal sports betting has expanded to more than 30 U.S. states since the Supreme Court overturned PASPA in 2018.

Pitch-level betting markets can allow bettors to wager on details such as pitch type and location. That could make inside information about an upcoming pitch valuable to anyone trying to gain an unfair advantage.

Clase is one of MLB’s more accomplished relief pitchers. The 28-year-old is a three-time All-Star and won the AL Reliever of the Year award in 2024, his final full season before the allegations surfaced. His status has helped make the case a high-profile MLB integrity investigation.

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