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Updated · ESPN · Oct 1Guardians Tab Rookie Parker Messick for ALDS Game 1, Gavin Williams for Game 2
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Oct 1Summary
- Cleveland will start rookie left-hander Parker Messick in Saturday's ALDS opener against the White Sox and Gavin Williams in Game 2 on Monday.
- Messick, 25, earned the nod after going 12-9 with a 2.56 ERA in 32 starts; against Chicago this season, he was 2-1 with a 2.81 ERA in five outings.
- Williams gives Cleveland another frontline arm after a 14-8 season with a 3.76 ERA and 248 strikeouts, second-most in the majors.
- Stephen Vogt said the pair had been Cleveland's two best pitchers and that recent rotation timing and extra rest for Williams shaped the order.
- The matchup sets up a tighter AL Central clash than last year: Chicago eliminated Houston in two games and went 7-6 against Cleveland this season.
Insights
Will Chicago's unconventional bullpen-heavy strategy dismantle Cleveland's rookie-led rotation in this high-stakes ALDS showdown? Can a historic rookie season translate to playoff glory, or will the immense pressure of Game 1 crush Cleveland's young ace?