CLEVELAND — When Emmanuel Clase's music starts playing, and the Guardians All-Star (and All-World, if there was such a thing in Major League Baseball) begins to jog from the center-field bullpen, Andres Gimenez knows he'll probably be leaving the ballpark and heading home soon enough.

Most of Clase's innings this season have been quick. Almost all of them have been decisive. He has entered games, he's pitched efficiently and quickly, the Guardians have walked through their hand-shake line after a win, and everybody heads home.

"I feel like I'm going to go home early," Gimenez said when asked what he's thinking when Clase enters the game with a lead. "Honestly, it's been absolutely incredible this year, and in the last three years. It's just unbelievable, saving 40 games each season. So, yeah, I feel like it's crazy. It's special."

Clase has emerged as the undisputed top reliever in baseball. He has a borderline ridiculous 0.71 ERA to go with 40 saves and a 55:8 strikeout:walk ratio. He has converted 27 consecutive save chances, and he's now reached the 40-save plateau in three consecutive seasons — both are franchise records. He hasn't just been putting up Mariano Rivera numbers, but opponents have described his cutter as "Mariano-like."

And in Friday night's 10-8 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, Clase registered save No. 150 with Cleveland to pass Cody Allen for the franchise's all-time lead. Pitching coach Carl Willis said a few words postgame, and the team had a champagne-filled cheers.

And knowing how dominant Clase has been this year, there wasn't much worry they'd have to re-chill that champagne once he entered the game.

"It's fun. What he's done in a short spurt here is truly special, and I was only here for five months it," said manager Stephen Vogt. "It's just remarkable. … He doesn't get rattled. He doesn't get shaken. He comes in, pounds the strike zone with really good stuff, and I couldn't be happier for him and his family. Tonight was about Emmanuel."

Emmanuel Clase entering American League Cy Young discussion

Relievers rarely are considered for a Cy Young Award, but Clase is making an interesting case in 2024.

He repeatedly said Friday night, though, that he doesn't pay attention to any of that.

"I don't pay too much attention to the accolades," Clase said through a team translator. "But at the same time, it's good to be recognized in that way, and any pitcher would love to be included in that conversation. And why not, if I get the merits to win it?"

Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis1@gannett.com. Read more about the Guardians at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/cleveland-guardians. Follow him on Threads at @ByRyanLewis.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase sets franchise saves record