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Guardians Give ALDS Starts to Messick, Williams
Rookie left-hander Parker Messick will open the series against the White Sox, with strikeout leader Gavin Williams lined up for Game 2.
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Messick Draws Game 1 Assignment
Cleveland will start rookie left-hander Parker Messick in Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the Chicago White Sox on Saturday, making him the first rookie pitcher to open a postseason game for the club since 2016. Manager Stephen Vogt said Messick and Gavin Williams have been the team’s two best arms and earned the roles through recent form and how the rotation lined up. The 25-year-old Messick went 12-9 in 32 starts this season and was 2-1 with a 2.81 ERA in five outings versus Chicago. He led qualified MLB rookies with 183 1/3 innings, ranked second with 191 strikeouts, tied for second in wins and ERA, and stood fourth in opponent batting average at.212. His 2.56 ERA is the lowest by a rookie in a season with at least 30 starts since Jon Matlack’s 2.32 in 1972 and the lowest for a Cleveland left-hander since Cliff Lee’s 2.54 in 2008. Ryan Merritt was the last Cleveland rookie to start in October, throwing 4 1/3 shutout innings in Game 5 of the ALCS against Toronto a decade earlier.
Williams Set for Game 2
Williams, the AL strikeout leader, will take the mound in Game 2 after going 14-8 with a 3.76 ERA. He finished second in the majors with 248 strikeouts and held opponents to a.213 average, tied for seventh-best. Vogt pointed to how well Williams responded with extra rest as part of the decision to slot him second.
Familiar Central Rival Awaits
Chicago’s two-game win over Houston gave Cleveland added time to prepare for its AL Central foe. The White Sox finished 7-6 in the season series after Cleveland took 11 of 13 the year before. Vogt credited Chicago’s front office and staff for a strong year and noted the White Sox can hit, feature good pitching and defense, and carry a deep roster, setting up a demanding series.
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