Examining Gavin Williams’ breakout season ahead of ALCS start

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Gavin Williams is preparing to start Game 3 of the ALCS against the Tampa Bay Rays following a dominant breakout campaign. Williams led the American League with 248 regular-season strikeouts and added 24 more in the ALDS against the Chicago White Sox, including 12 in the Game 5 clincher. His combined 272 strikeouts lead Major League Baseball this year, putting a rare 300-strikeout milestone within reach if Cleveland makes a deep postseason run.

Williams has excelled behind an arsenal featuring an upper-90s four-seamer, an 87.5-mph sweeper, and an effective knuckle curveball. Under manager Stephen Vogt, the 6-foot-6 pitcher reduced his walk rate to 8.2 percent by focusing on attacking the strike zone more aggressively.