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Guardians to throw rookie Messick, Williams at White Sox to start ALDS

Rookie left-hander Parker Messick will start Game 1 of the ALDS for Cleveland, while AL strikeout leader Gavin Williams will take the mound in Game 2.

Published: Thursday, 1 October 2026 at 10:46 PM
Guardians to throw rookie Messick, Williams at White Sox to start ALDS
Key Things to Know
  • Cleveland named Parker Messick and Gavin Williams as their starting pitchers for the ALDS against Chicago.
  • Messick will be Cleveland's first rookie to start a postseason game since Ryan Merritt in 2016.
  • Messick recorded a 2.56 ERA over 32 starts, the lowest for a rookie starter since 1972.
The Story in 60 Seconds

The Cleveland Guardians have named rookie left-hander Parker Messick and right-hander Gavin Williams as their starting pitchers for the American League Division Series. Messick will start Game 1 on Saturday against the Chicago White Sox, becoming Cleveland's first rookie postseason starter since 2016. Manager Stephen Vogt announced the decision on Thursday, calling the pair Cleveland's two best pitchers.

Messick posted a 12-9 record with a 2.56 ERA across 32 regular-season starts. Williams went 14-8 with a 3.76 ERA and ranked second in Major League Baseball with 248 strikeouts. The AL Central rivals meet after Chicago won the regular-season series 7-6 and advanced past the Houston Astros.

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