Baseball's Dark Side: Pitchers, Bets, and Bad Choices

Two Cleveland Guardians pitchers, Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, are in hot water. They're accused of taking money to throw specific pitches that would help gamblers win big. This isn't just about bad pitches; it's about breaking the rules and trusting the wrong people. Clase and Ortiz allegedly threw pitches that were either too slow or too far from the strike zone. This helped two gamblers from the Dominican Republic win over $460, 000. The pitches were part of a bigger scheme involving in-game bets. Let's talk about Clase first. On May 19, 2023, he threw a fast pitch that was supposed to be over 94. 95 mph. He started with a 98. 5 mph cutter, but his team still lost. On June 3, 2023, he threw a slow slider that hit the catcher. The gamblers bet big on these pitches. Ortiz also had his moments. On June 15, 2025, he threw a slow slider that bounced. The batter walked, and the gamblers won. On June 27, 2025, he did it again. The batter hit a home run, and the gamblers won even more. This isn't just about the money. It's about the trust that fans and teams put in these players. It's about the integrity of the game. Pitchers are supposed to play fair, not throw games for cash. The indictment also mentions some disturbing texts. One bettor sent Clase a GIF of a man hanging himself. Clase responded with a sad puppy dog face. This shows how serious the situation is. It's not just about the game; it's about the people involved.