Fresh court filings suggest the alleged match-fixing case involving two Cleveland Guardians pitchers runs far deeper than first reported. For bettors and sportsbooks, the case has quickly become a warning sign about pitch-level betting and the risks tied to micro markets.
Allegations point to large-scale pitch manipulation
According to documents cited in an ESPN report, Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase allegedly manipulated his own pitches in nearly 50 games. Prosecutors claim the pitches were altered by speed and location to match pre-arranged betting outcomes.
Court records say Clase and teammate Luis Ortiz allegedly shared inside information with a group of co-conspirators. That information was then used to place wagers, allowing the group to profit from specific pitch results rather than full-game outcomes.
Both pitchers face serious charges, including wire fraud conspiracy, bribery and money laundering.
Initial suspicions grow sharply
Federal prosecutors first linked the 27-year-old Clase to suspicious activity in nine games over a two-year period. New filings now suggest that number could be at least 48 games.
The claim came from legal counsel representing Ortiz, who asked the court to separate his case from Clase’s. Ortiz’s lawyers argue the two pitchers had “markedly different levels of culpability” and say Ortiz only became involved in 2025.
Ortiz’s role and flagged betting activity
Ortiz was placed on non-disciplinary paid leave by Major League Baseball after allegedly joining the gambling scheme in June 2025.
Court documents say that during that month alone, co-conspirators won about $60,000 by betting on Ortiz’s pitches. The wagers were flagged for suspicious activity by integrity monitoring firm IC360, adding weight to the investigation.
Clase was also placed on non-disciplinary paid leave by MLB while the probe continues.
MLB moves to protect betting integrity
After the indictments, MLB worked with its licensed sportsbook partners to limit exposure to pitch-level betting. In November, the league announced a $200 cap on single-pitch markets across all MLB-affiliated sportsbooks in the U.S.
MLB said the move aimed to reduce risk linked to micro betting while maintaining trust in the regulated betting market.
Major operators enforcing the cap include bet365, BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel and Fanatics. Together, these brands represent more than 98% of the U.S. online sports betting market through the Sports Betting Alliance.
States consider tighter rules on micro betting
Regulators and lawmakers have also stepped in since the scandal emerged.
In New Jersey, bills were filed in both legislative chambers to ban certain in-play prop bets. The proposals specifically mention bets on whether the next pitch will be a strike as an example of markets that could be removed.
In New York, the State Gaming Commission recently sent letters to professional sports leagues asking them to consider limits on specific prop markets. Lawmakers have gone further, with one bill seeking to remove in-play bets entirely and another proposing that sportsbooks only offer wagers on final game outcomes.
What this means for bettors
For bettors, the case highlights why pitch-by-pitch and other micro markets are under growing scrutiny. While these bets are popular for live action, regulators and leagues now see them as higher risk.
As investigations continue, bettors should expect tighter limits, fewer micro markets, and closer monitoring across baseball betting in the months ahead.
