Gavin Williams Is Closing In On Major MLB Strikeout Milestone

Cleveland Guardians pitcher Gavin Williams leads the American League with 244 strikeouts this season, trailing only Milwaukee's Jacob Misiorowski, who holds the MLB lead with 247. With five regular-season games remaining, Williams is expected to take the mound Friday against the Kansas City Royals with a chance to claim the major league strikeout title.

Williams is expected to have a standard start because the Guardians cannot clinch the AL Central title until Friday at the earliest. In addition to Williams' milestone chase, Cleveland closer Cade Smith currently shares the AL lead in saves with Tampa Bay's Bryan Baker at 40 saves.