“Andy Pages cost Emmanuel Clase $100,000” - Fans roast Guardian’s pitcher’s failed strike vs. Dodgers in ongoing gambling case

Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz could face more than 20 years in prison after being charged with fraud, conspiracy, and bribery for allegedly rigging their pitches.

Clase and Ortiz were placed on non-disciplinary paid leave in July after betting integrity firms flagged irregular wagering on their pitches. According to the 23-page indictment, prosecutors alleged that Clase would intentionally throw balls on his first pitch to hitters, allowing bettors to wager on it.

During a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 28. Two bettors placed a bet on Clase throwing a ball. However, Dodgers' Andy Pages swung at the pitch, leading to a strike. The bettors were reportedly unhappy with Clase for throwing a strike and costing them around $4000.

Fans reacted to the Pages spoiling Clase's rigged pitch.

"I’m crying son Andy Pages costed Emmanuel Clase 100 thousand dollars." "Pages had a prop on himself to get a first pitch strike so he was swinging no matter what." "Of course, Andy Pages would swing at a pitch like that 😂" "What if I told you, swinging at the first pitch made Andy Pages $200k???" "You never know if Pages wasn't doing the same thing Clase was doing."

While Luis Ortiz was arrested in Boston and will be presented in court on Monday, Emmanuel Clase has not been taken into custody yet. Their activity helped bettors win around $450,000 by wagering on their rigged pitches.

Emmanuel Clase's failed failed rigged pitch against Andy Pages irked bettor

According to the indictment, one of bettors contacted Emmanuel Clase after Dodgers' Andy Pages swung at the Guardians closer's rigged pitch.

"Approximately 20 minutes after Bettor-1 lost the wager on May 28, 2025, Bettor-1 sent a text message to the defendant EMMANUEL CLASE DE LA CRUZa gif image of a man hanging himself with toilet paper,” the indictment stated.“Even though the Cleveland Guardians won the game, approximately 10 minutes later, CLASE responded to Bettor-1 with a gif image of a sad puppy dog face.”

Clase allegedly began rigging pitches from 2023, while his Guardians teammate, Ortiz, joined the illegal activity in June this year.

Edited by Chaitanya Prakash