The internet had plenty of reactions to Cleveland Guardians‘ pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz being indicted in the Eastern District of New York. The charges are tied to an alleged betting scheme stemming back to 2023.
Prosecutors argue that gamblers won hundreds of thousands of dollars after Ortiz and Clase tipped them off regarding what types of pitches they would throw. Ortiz and Clase could face up to 65 years in prison on charges of fraud, conspiracy and bribery if that’s ruled to be the case.
The earliest accusation that Clase rigged a pitch in the indictment dates back to May 19, 2023. He had allegedly relayed to bettors that he would throw a pitch faster than 94.95 mph, which won the bettors $27,000. Ortiz’s involvement did not start until June 15, 2025, per the indictment.
In statements shared by The Athletic, Clase‘s and Ortiz‘s lawyers responded that their clients are innocent of all charges.
According to the indictment, on May 28, 2025, Clase needed to throw a ball for a bettor’s parlay to be successful. While the ball was well out of the strike zone, Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages swung at the pitch. The bettor, the indictment goes on to say, sent Clase a GIF of a man hanging himself with toilet paper in response.
At one point, per the indictment, Clase tried to throw a ball but the batter swung — resulting in a strike.
“Bettor-I” allegedly texted Clase a GIF of a man hanging himself with toilet paper. Clase replied with a GIF of a “sad puppy dog face.” (The Guardians won the game.) pic.twitter.com/BN1wLkGVKK
— Pablo Torre 👀 (@PabloTorre) November 9, 2025
Bettors, prosecutors argue, won at least $400,000 on betting platforms from pitches thrown by Clase.
Keep scrolling to see the internet’s reactions and the pitches federal law enforcement are claiming were rigged.
Clase came into the 9th inning of the Dodgers game on May 28 and purposefully threw a 1st pitch ball in the dirt.
Andy Pages swung and missed.
His betting partner texted Clase a GIF of a man hanging himself with toilet paper.
Clase replied with a GIF of a sad puppy dog face. pic.twitter.com/2UkKZoEWIh
— Ohio’s Tate (@BarstoolTate) November 9, 2025
Here’s one pitch Luis Ortiz was allegedly paid $5,000 to make sure he threw a ball.
My man wasn’t going to risk even the worst umpire thought about calling it a strike.
— Colin Dunlap (@colin_dunlap) November 9, 2025