Prosecutors Name 18 Rigged Pitches in Clase Trial — SkimNews
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- Federal prosecutors identified 18 pitches across 17 games (May 19, 2023–May 28, 2025) as the focus of their gambling case against Emmanuel Clase, per Friday filings from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York.
- Emmanuel Clase is accused of sharing advance pitch information with bettors who wagered on the result and velocity of his throws.
- One flagged pitch was a 93 mph slider to Matt Vierling that missed the strike zone in the ninth inning of an Oct. 5, 2024 ALDS game; the Guardians won 7-0.
- Luis Ortiz allegedly provided advance information on two of his own pitches, though prosecutors did not identify which ones in the filings.
- Clase, Ortiz, and two other defendants face wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy charges; all have pleaded not guilty, with jury selection set for November.
- The final list narrowed from a February preliminary that flagged suspect Clase pitches in at least 48 games; both Clase and Ortiz have been on leave since summer 2025.
Why it matters: Prosecutors shrinking the case from 48 suspect games to 18 specific pitches shows they're consolidating to provable instances — a tighter but narrower case for jury trial. The Guardians lose their closer and a starter indefinitely, with both on leave since summer 2025 as the November trial date approaches.
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