The Cleveland Guardians, after beating the Boston Red Sox 1-0 on Thursday night, will be in the 2026 MLB postseason. It will be their third straight year there, and they will be looking to replicate their 2024 success and, why not, advance to the World Series this time, something they haven’t done since 2016.
Yes, the offense has improved after the trade deadline, even if the lone run scored in the last two games might suggest otherwise. However, everybody knows that pitching is Cleveland’s calling card.
The Guardians’ postseason hopes will largely hinge on three specific pitchers: starters Parker Messick and Gavin Williams and closer Cade Smith.
“Imagine having to play this pitching in the postseason: SP Parker Messick: 2.55 ERA, 183.1 IP, 191 SO; SP Gavin Williams: 3.33 ERA, 67.2 IP, 110 SO (since ASB); CP Cade Smith: 1:99 ERA, 72.1 IP, 104 SO. Gonna be a dangerous team,” Paragon MLB said.
Imagine having to play this pitching in the postseason
SP Parker Messick: 2.55 ERA 183.1 IP 191 SO
SP Gavin Williams: 3.33 ERA 67.2 IP 110 SO (since ASB)
CP Cade Smith: 1:99 ERA 72.1 IP 104 SO
Gonna be a dangerous team pic.twitter.com/tLHq4eTjH8
— Paragon MLB âš¾ (@ParagonMLB) September 23, 2026
Williams’ strikeout stuff, already very solid before the season, improved, and so did his control and command. He is now a legitimate strikeout artist who can find his way out of jams by the sheer strength of his stuff.
His performance since the All-Star break has been amazing, with a 3.33 ERA that has given the Guardians a co-ace alongside Messick. The left-hander, eligible for the AL Rookie of the Year Award and considered one of the favorites to win it alongside Detroit Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle, has posted a fantastic 2.55 ERA in 183.1 innings. That’s not an insignificant sample, as some said about the 39.2 frames he logged in 2025, in which he put up a 2.72 ERA.
Messick’s amazing fastball-changeup combo has earned him plenty of strikeouts and weak contact this year. His command is amazing, and he has the mentality of a champion.
Then, you have Smith. The All-Star closer has, so far, a 1.96 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 2026. This year, he has also racked up 41 saves for the first time.
If the Guardians are going to make a deep postseason run this year, it will run through these three arms. They are going to pitch a lot of high-leverage innings in October, and if they can all withstand the extra workload and maintain their surgeon-like efficiency and effectiveness, Cleveland might have something to celebrate in a matter of weeks.
NEXT: Guardians Blank Red Sox And Clinch Third Straight Postseason Berth
