The Cleveland Guardians lost Game 5 of the ALCS to the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, which left them with a very difficult decision for Game 6. The Guardians could start ace Gavin Williams facing season-ending elimination on Monday, but they have opted not to do so on three days’ rest.
Instead, Cleveland will go with a bullpen game, hoping to get a victory that will allow it to deploy Williams as the starter in Game 7 on Tuesday. However, if the Guardians lose and that game never comes, the decision will be second-guessed for a long time.
Insider Tim Stebbins of MLB.com revealed the real reason the Guardians aren’t using Williams in Game 6, citing his dip in velocity during his Game 3 start on Thursday.
“Williams’ max velo in Game 3 was 99.2 mph in the first inning. It fell to 95.4 mph in his fifth and final inning. One explanation why they aren’t pushing him on short rest, even in a win-or-go-home,” Stebbins posted.
Williams' max velo in Game 3 was 99.2 mph in the first inning. It fell to 95.4 mph in his fifth and final inning.
One explanation why they aren't pushing him on short rest, even in a win-or-go-home. https://t.co/LfjOOApQIV pic.twitter.com/bACGuvzqYT
— Tim Stebbins (@tim_stebbins) October 19, 2026
This should not be surprising, considering that Williams has passed the 200-inning threshold for the first time in his four major-league campaigns. The 27-year-old threw a career-high 184.1 innings during the regular season and has added 16.2 innings during the playoffs.
In addition to three starts, that includes the first inning of relief in his career, in Game 4 against the Chicago White Sox in the ALDS. He followed that with a Game 5 start two days later.
Williams threw 70 pitches over five innings in Game 3 against the Rays on Thursday. He gave up two runs on two hits with nine strikeouts and one walk in the 3-2 win.
For the postseason, he has 32 strikeouts with seven hits allowed. That includes a signature performance when he gave up just one hit with 12 strikeouts over 5.2 innings in his Game 5 win against the White Sox. Williams does not seem to be any worse for wear, but it would be a lot to ask of him to take the mound facing elimination on short rest after a travel day.
So he will have to hope his teammates give him a chance to pitch in Game 7, when he should be at full strength and ready to go with a spot in the World Series on the line.
NEXT: Parker Messick Shuts Down Concerns About His Workload
