Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Parker Messick continued his excellent work on the mound during Saturday’s game against the Atlanta Braves. The southpaw tossed 6.2 scoreless innings, allowing four hits and striking out six batters in the win. It has been a historic start to the season for Messick.
The southpaw has done something only one other pitcher in Cleveland history has accomplished, according to Luke Potosky.
“Parker Messick: 16 SO & 1 R in 17.2 IR. Luis Tiant is the only CLE pitcher with better numbers thru the first 15 games of a season. Tiant (25 SO, 0 R, 27.0 IR) threw three straight complete game shutouts to begin the 1966 season,” Potosky wrote.
Parker Messick: 16 SO & 1 R in 17.2 IP 💪
Luis Tiant is the only CLE pitcher with better numbers thru the first 15 games of a season. 👀
Tiant (25 SO, 0 R, 27.0 IP) threw three straight complete game shutouts to begin the 1966 season. 🔥#GuardsBall | @CleGuardians pic.twitter.com/UObuRtkSgN
— Luke Potosky (@LukePotosky) April 12, 2026
It has been an unbelievable start to the season for Messick, who wasn’t projected to be an ace-type pitcher, but is currently pitching like it. Last season, Messick registered a 2.72 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and a 38/6 K/BB ratio across seven big league starts. Through three starts in 2026, Messick has a 0.51 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, and a 16/5 K/BB ratio. The 25-year-old already has a higher WAR (1.3) than he did last season (1.2) during those seven starts.
Luis Tiant eventually did come back down to Earth during that 1966 campaign. He finished the season with a 2.79 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and a 145/50 K/BB ratio in 46 games (16 starts) with Cleveland. The Cuban right-hander also tossed a league-leading eight shutouts while recording five saves as well. It wasn’t even his best season with the Tribe. In 1968, Tiant posted a 1.60 ERA across 34 appearances and earned himself a league-leading 8.5 WAR.
Unfortunately, it’s unlikely Messick will keep up this pace all season long. But the former second-round pick could become a reliable long-term option in the rotation.
Baseball fans will want to tune in for his next start against the Baltimore Orioles on April 16th.
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