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A former coach with the Cleveland Guardians, Craig Albernaz this weekend opened up about a gambling scandal that rocked Major League Baseball.
Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase was indicted in November 2025 on federal charges for allegedly rigging pitches as part of a sports betting scheme to help gamblers, with involvement dating back to 2023. He plead not guilty shortly thereafter.
From USA Today:
In the original indictment, Clase was accused of throwing suspicious pitches in nine separate games. As prosecutors continue to sift through data, they've since identified 15 games between 2023 and 2025 in which they believe Clase tried to throw pitches to help bettors, including a 2024 playoff game. In court documents filed earlier this month, Clase was accused of throwing suspicious pitches in at least 48 games.
Albernaz was then the bench coach for the Guardians. He is now the manager of the Baltimore Orioles.
Albernaz was asked his thoughts on the evolving case involving Emmanuel Clase, and said he was shocked. "I was shocked as anyone else. Our whole clubhouse too," Albernaz told reporters Sunday.
"It definitely was a blow to the clubhouse in the sense of yes, he's a really good pitcher that helped us win a lot of games, but then also he's one of your boys."
He spoke further. "To the clubhouse in Cleveland's credit, they didn't miss a beat. And it's a testament to [manager Stephen Vogt's] leadership, and the rest of the guys in there,.
- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com
