Guardians Pitchers Indicted in Alleged Betting Scheme: Greed, Extortion, and Bigger Questions
Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis L. Ortiz have been indicted on charges related to gambling misconduct, specifically manipulating bets on individual pitches. The pair allegedly conspired to throw specific types and speeds of pitches to benefit bettors, receiving bribes and kickbacks in return. Clase’s actions are alleged to have begun in May of 2023, while Ortiz’s began in June of 2025, with bettors allegedly making hundreds of thousands of dollars off of the scheme. The defendants face multiple federal charges, including wire fraud and conspiracy, and could face up to 65 years in prison if convicted.
John Q. Hosedrinker