The Cleveland Guardians thought that Parker Messick and Gavin Williams would give them an edge in Games 1 and 2 of the American League Division Series. To an extent, they did: they weren’t bad, even if they weren’t at their absolute best. However, the offense completely collapsed at home, and the Guards lost both games.
To stave off elimination and advance to the AL Championship Series, the Guardians need to win three straight against the White Sox this week. The next loss against them will send them home with nothing but the feeling of having underachieved in the 2026 postseason.
Analyst Tony Rizzo made sure to lay out all the facts about Cleveland’s struggling offense, and while they are ugly, he also warned that this isn’t over. He says the Guardians have a chance.
“Is it good when you’re 7-61 at the plate? 7-61? You’re a playoff team. You’re batting .150. MLB teams are 3-22 when down 2-0. There’s a chance. I know it looked ugly. Maybe the Guards need to get the hell out of here. Put too much pressure on them. Let’s see the White Sox, with pressure, to close this thing out at home,” Rizzo said.
“Is it good when you’re 7-61 at the plate?,” – Rizz on the Guardians offense through 2 games of the ALDS. pic.twitter.com/Obu3MaZRS1
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) October 6, 2026
No, racking up just seven hits in 18 innings of play isn’t good. Scoring just three runs in two games is also very bad. However, Rizzo has a point when he says that perhaps the Guardians need to get out of Cleveland at this point.
Pressure is a real thing. Playing in front of thousands of fans with sky-high expectations is not as easy as it looks. Maybe the Guardians can win Game 3 at Rate Field, and that’s when things could get interesting.
If Cleveland somehow manages to take Game 3, they would get Messick for Game 4 and Williams for Game 5 at home. Yes, the Guardians have their backs against the wall, but a win on Wednesday could shift some of the pressure to the young White Sox team.
It doesn’t matter if it’s ugly or requires seven or eight pitchers: Cleveland needs to win on Wednesday to extend their season.
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