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…
The Cleveland Guardians will pair catcher Patrick Bailey with starting pitcher Parker Messick for the first time this season in Game 5 of the ALCS against the Tampa Bay Rays. Manager Stephen Vogt decided to start Bailey behind the plate instead of regular catcher Austin Hedges to keep Bailey's productive bat in the starting lineup.
While Vogt acknowledged the inherent risks of introducing an untested battery in an elimination-stakes playoff game, he expressed strong confidence in both players. Messick dominated the Rays in the regular season with a 2.56 ERA, while Bailey entered Game 5 as one of Cleveland's top postseason hitters.
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