Guardians Made MLB Postseason History In Game 3

The Cleveland Guardians’ offensive breakthrough was the story of the day on Wednesday. After scoring just three runs over the first two games of the American League Division Series against the Chicago White Sox, they crossed home plate nine times in Game 3, with 11 hits and 11 hard-hit balls. Four of those hits went for extra bases.

And while the awakening of Cleveland’s bats was certainly the main reason they won, we can’t overlook what the pitchers did. They limited the red-hot White Sox to three runs and had them making empty swings all afternoon.

“The Guardians struck out 19 batters today, the most by a team in a 9-inning game in postseason history,” baseball researcher Sarah Langs posted.

The Guardians struck out 19 batters today, the most by a team in a 9-inning game in postseason history

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 8, 2026

That’s, as Langs explains, a postseason record. No team has struck out more hitters over a nine-inning game in the history of the playoffs. Think about it this way: they got 19 of the 27 required outs to win via the K, which is absolutely impressive.

Opener Daniel Espino fanned two before departing, and long reliever Foster Griffin racked up a jaw-dropping seven in just 2.2 innings of work. Shawn Armstrong and Joey Cantillo each accumulated one, and while Hunter Gaddis was the only Guardians pitcher who failed to strike out a single batter, Tim Herrin had three in one inning and closer Cade Smith had a whopping five in two frames.

Strikeouts aside, the Guardians needed to come through on Wednesday, playing on the brink of elimination, and did. Now, they will try to tie the AL Division Series behind their ace, Parker Messick, who posted an impressive 2.56 ERA in the regular season and allowed two runs in 4.1 innings in Saturday’s Game 1.

As a result of the high usage on Wednesday, the Guardians’ bullpen will be a bit tired on Thursday, but it’s an all-hands-on-deck situation, so most of the pitchers used in Game 3 will be available. Additionally, Matt Festa, Erik Sabrowski, and Tanner Bibee are fully rested, and Gavin Williams is expected to start Game 5 should Cleveland make it that far.