With a trip to the World Series hanging in the balance, the Cleveland Guardians are trying a pitcher and catcher combination that has never worked together in a game. Patrick Bailey will catch Parker Messick for the first time this season in Sunday’s Game 5 of the American League Championship Series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Austin Hedges has been Messick’s catcher throughout the rookie’s All-Star season, including Game 2 of this series. Stephen Vogt decided that Bailey’s hot bat is too valuable to leave on the bench in a game this important.
Speaking before the game, as shared by Mason Horodyski of WEWS, Vogt admitted there is some risk involved, but said that if he is going to trust two people to navigate a game together, “it’s Parker and Patty.”
“With the way Patty is swinging the bat, just wanted to keep his bat in lineup, and you know, obviously there is some risk. There’s some concern with Patty never having caught Parker. But you know what? If I’m going to trust two human beings to go out and navigate a game, it’s Parker and Patty,” Vogt said.
“With the way Patty is swinging the bat, just wanted to keep his bat in lineup, and you know, obviously there is some risk. There's some concern with Patty never having caught Parker. But you know what? If I'm going to trust two human beings to go out and navigate a game, it's… pic.twitter.com/hsgKmdlCbL
— Mason Horodyski (@MasonHorodyski) October 18, 2026
Vogt explained that the decision came down to the way Bailey has been swinging the bat. He acknowledged that there is some concern with Bailey never having caught Messick before, but he made it clear he has complete faith in both players to make it work.
That faith is understandable. Bailey has been one of the most productive hitters in Cleveland’s lineup this October. He went 5-15 in the division series against the White Sox, including a pinch hit home run in Game 4 that sparked the Guardians’ comeback. In the ALCS, he tied Game 1 with a 436-foot homer off Drew Rasmussen, the same pitcher he will face on Sunday. Through four games of this series, Bailey has collected four hits and scored three runs.
He also brings a strong defensive reputation. Bailey arrived from San Francisco in May as a two-time Gold Glove winner, and he has spent the past five months learning Cleveland’s pitching staff. He has caught Gavin Williams, Foster Griffin and the Guardians’ bullpen throughout the postseason, and after Game 1 he called Cleveland’s relief corps the best in the league.
The challenge will be getting on the same page with Messick in real time. The rookie works with a six-pitch mix and relies on pinpoint command, so the communication between pitcher and catcher will be critical.
Messick has been tough on Tampa Bay all season, allowing just two earned runs over 18 1/3 innings in three starts. He finished the regular season 12-9 with a 2.56 ERA, and Vogt has called his rookie campaign one of the best seasons he has ever seen from a pitcher in person. The left-hander has the stuff to carry the Guardians on Sunday, and Bailey will be tasked with helping him use it.
It is a new pairing at the most important time, and Vogt is betting it pays off.
NEXT: Guardians Announce Starting Lineup For Game 5 Of ALCS
