Legal

Prosecutors Narrow Emmanuel Clase Gambling Case to 18 Pitches Ahead of Trial

Posted on: September 23, 2026, 07:17h.

Last updated on: September 23, 2026, 07:22h.

Written by

Mark Keast Mark is a long-time, seasoned journalist, as a writer and editor, working for several Toronto daily newspapers, then moving over to the digital arena, covering both sports and business. Over the past few years he moved over to the gaming arena, specifically covering the igaming industry in Canada for several platforms, as well as writing on sports betting.

Key Points

Federal prosecutors identified 18 Emmanuel Clase pitches they allege were connected to a betting scheme
The list includes a 2024 playoff pitch and spans 17 games across three seasons
Prosecutors allege inside pitch information helped bettors generate at least $400,000 in fraudulent winnings

Federal prosecutors have narrowed their gambling case against Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Emmanuel Clase to 18 pitches thrown over three seasons, including one during the 2024 Major League Baseball (MLB) playoffs, according to new court filings.

Emmanuel Clase, shown here as a member of Cleveland Guardians, is set to go to trial in November for his alleged role in a gambling scheme. (Image: Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)

The pitches were thrown across 17 games between May 19, 2023, and May 28, 2025. Prosecutors allege Clase gave bettors advance information about certain pitches.

Those bettors then wagered on outcomes such as pitch type, velocity, and whether they would be called balls or strikes, according to ESPN reporting.

Ortiz Also Charged

Former Guardians teammate Luis Ortiz is also alleged to have taken part in the scheme, joining in June 2025, with prosecutors identifying two of his pitches, but not pointing them out in the court documents like they did with Clase.

Prosecutors allege Clase sometimes deliberately threw pitches into the dirt to ensure they were called balls. Bettors then allegedly used the inside information to place hundreds of wagers at online sportsbooks, generating at least $400,000 in fraudulent winnings.

Case Narrows Ahead of Trial

Prosecutors say Ortiz helped co-conspirators generate at least $60,000 in winnings from manipulated pitches.

Clase and Ortiz were indicted in November 2025 on charges of wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering.

Both men have pleaded not guilty and are scheduled to stand trial in November. Each defendant faces a maximum of 65 years in prison if found guilty.

Playoff Pitch Among 18

Among the pitches identified is Clase’s first pitch to Detroit Tigers hitter Matt Vierling in the ninth inning of Game 1 of the 2024 American League Division Series on Oct. 5. According to ESPN, Clase threw a 93-mph slider outside the strike zone in a game Cleveland won 7-0.

Other hitters involved in the 18 pitches include Manny Machado, Max Kepler, Bobby Witt Jr., Starling Marte, Royce Lewis, and Jarren Duran.

In February, court documents revealed prosecutors had identified suspect Clase pitches from at least 48 games over a two-year period.

Mark is a long-time, seasoned journalist, as a writer and editor, working for several Toronto daily newspapers, then moving over to the digital arena, covering both sports and business. Over the past few years he moved over to the gaming arena, specifically covering the igaming industry in Canada for several platforms, as well as writing on sports betting.