The Cleveland Guardians are working on a five-game winning streak after beating the Los Angeles Angels 4-2 on Monday night in LA. American League Rookie of the Year and Cy Young candidate Parker Messick was the main driving factor behind the victory, tossing six innings and allowing just one run.
The left-hander surrendered just three hits and a walk, striking out four to earn his 10th win of the year. His 2.50 ERA is absolutely elite and tells the story of a dominant pitcher, one of the best in baseball.
When discussing his recent results after the game, Messick praised his fellow rotation mates and revealed the impact they have had in the Guardians’ recent run. The comparisons with the 2025 team that played excellent baseball in September are inevitable.
“It’s the same as last year, right? When we went on the run, when pitchers aren’t giving up a lot of runs, it gives the hitters a lot of confidence. They don’t have to press too much and just go out there and do their thing. And we’ve been able to see that last few games. They’ve been really swinging it. So, when we’re able to pitch it, and everything just kind of falls in line, just gives everyone else confidence,” Messick said.
(Via #Guardians audio) Parker Messick to reporters in LA on Cleveland’s pitching staff giving up just 12 runs combined the last 7 games:
“Yeah, I mean it's the same last year, right? When we went on the run, I mean, you know, when pitchers aren't giving up a lot of runs, it…
— Mason Horodyski (@MasonHorodyski) August 25, 2026
The Guardians’ pitching staff hasn’t conceded more than three runs in any of the last seven games. Six of them have resulted in wins.
As Messick explains, such a dominant staff gives the offense some much-needed confidence. And the much-criticized unit has mostly come through in recent games.
In those seven games, the offense has scored 37 runs. Each unit is gaining in confidence, and that’s huge for the Guardians. A furious September run fueled a stunning comeback in the standings last year, so perhaps we will see a similar story unfold in 2026.
The Guardians are currently a Wild Card team and are closing in on the Chicago White Sox for the AL Central lead. As objects in cars’ rearview mirrors, they are closer than they appear.
Messick has full confidence in his abilities and on his teammates, and that’s music to fans’ ears.
NEXT: One Guardians Rookie Is Closing The Gap For Major MLB Award
