The Cleveland Guardians were able to advance directly into the ALDS after winning the AL Central for a third straight season. When that happened in 2024, the Guardians defeated the division rival Detroit Tigers to reach the ALCS, where they lost to the New York Yankees.
This year, they will be facing another division rival in the upstart Chicago White Sox, with Game 1 of the best-of-5 series set for Saturday at Progressive Field. With an ALCS against the Yankees or Tampa Bay Rays potentially waiting for them, the Guardians are looking to make it to the World Series for the first time since 2016.
ESPN insider Jeff Passan revealed why the Guardians could then win the championship for the first time in almost 80 years, with an excellent pitching staff that can match up with any opponent.
“They can pitch with anyone. Gavin Williams has evolved into a legitimate No. 1 — his xFIP, a predictive metric, was better than Cam Schlittler, Chris Sale and Dylan Cease’s — and Parker Messick has been every bit as good and deserves consideration for AL Rookie of the Year. Cleveland’s relievers have the highest strikeout rate in the big leagues by a wide margin. Closer Cade Smith anchors that group after totaling 41 saves with a 1.95 ERA,” Passan wrote.
Messick was chosen to start Game 1 by Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt after an excellent first full MLB season. The left-hander posted a 12-9 record, and the Guardians were 19-13 in his 32 starts, including his brief appearance in the season finale on Sunday. In four starts against the White Sox, Messick was 2-1 with a 2.81 ERA, 29 strikeouts and 19 hits allowed in 25.2 innings.
Williams will start Game 2 after going 14-8 with a 3.56 ERA, compared to Messick’s 2.56. Foster Griffin is in line to start Game 3, even though he was just 3-3 with a 5.19 ERA after arriving from the Washington Nationals at the trade deadline.
All these starters have to do against Chicago is get the game to Cleveland’s impressive bullpen. Guardians relievers have 652 strikeouts in 574.2 innings, which is a K/9 rate of 10.21 that is well ahead of the White Sox, Yankees, and Rays.
The Cleveland offense obviously will have to hold up its end of the bargain as well. It is hopeful that Jose Ramirez can overcome a down season and contribute to a long playoff run.
Ideally, the Guardians will make quick work of the White Sox and be able to line up their pitching for whichever AL East power remains standing in their way.
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