Smith, along with Tim Herrin and Hunter Gaddis, enable the Guardians to attack key situations with a proactive approach rather than having to leave the starting pitcher in a few batters too long. Clase is arguably the best pitcher in baseball inning-by-inning, but Smith allows the bullpen to operate as it has all year.

The Guardians won the AL Central with 92 wins, which might be enough for Stephen Vogt to win AL Manager of the Year in his first season. The Tigers at one point had a 1% chance of making the playoffs before finishing the regular season 15-5 in their final 20 games to grab one of the six postseason spots.