Guardians All-Star Emmanuel Clase placed on leave amid MLB sports betting investigation
PBS NewsHour2 days
Guardians' Clase Placed on Leave in MLB Gambling Probe
Above: Emmanuel Clase of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates on July 18, 2025. Image copyright: Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
It's crucial for pro sports leagues to keep gambling away from their fields of play, so the hypocrisy of MLB, and other leagues, being in business with betting companies is obvious. Pro sports have made a deal with the devil, which has infected its fan base, especially among young men. As gambling and sports become more transparently interlocked, it's going to be difficult to police these types of situations.
Narrative B
Upholding the integrity of the game is priority No. 1, and that's why MLB has been working with the gaming industry to monitor activity and flag any suspicious betting that may be impacting the on-field product. Fans enjoy the interactive nature of gambling, and MLB intends to continue giving fans what they want while also making sure any incidents of impropriety are dealt with severely.