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The Cleveland Guardians entered Game 4 of the American League Division Series against the Chicago White Sox with a clear strategy for their pitching rotation for Games 4 and 5. However, those plans quickly unraveled as starting pitcher Parker Messick struggled with his command, walking four batters in the first three innings. The White Sox took an early lead, forcing the Guardians to abandon their original approach.
Despite the early setback, the Guardians' offense exploded for nine runs, including a six-run sixth inning, to secure a 9-5 victory at Rate Field in Chicago. The win evened the series at 2-2 and set up a winner-take-all Game 5, scheduled for 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at Progressive Field in Cleveland.
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt acknowledged the chaotic nature of the game. "Obviously, the script got ripped up in the third," Vogt said. "When you have to go to the bullpen early, you got to get creative in a win-or-go-home. The fifth inning, we didn't anticipate using three different pitchers in that inning. So when we got down to it, we're looking at what we got left."
In total, the Guardians used eight pitchers to cover nine innings. The bullpen game was necessitated by Messick's short outing, and the team had to improvise on the fly. The ninth inning proved particularly eventful, as closer Cade Smith, who had also pitched in Game 3, entered in the eighth and stayed on for the ninth due to the off day between Games 4 and 5. However, Miguel Vargas hit a solo home run to cut the lead to four runs, and Smith then walked Munetaka Murakami.
At that point, Vogt faced a dilemma. He wanted to avoid Smith reaching 40 pitches, especially with Game 5 looming, and he also had to consider Gavin Williams, the potential Game 5 starter. Williams needed to get his work in, either through a side session or by pitching in the game. Vogt opted to bring Williams in as a reliever, a role Williams hadn't filled since college. "We knew Gavin was available for one [inning]," Vogt said. "Obviously didn't want to do that, but in that moment – we didn't want him to face the first hitter with the tying run on deck, so it was time to go get Gavin."
Williams, who had been antsy in the bullpen all game, was eager for the opportunity. "Didn't really think so, but I wanted it," Williams said of pitching in relief. "I think that's the whole idea, just telling myself I want the ball." He did admit to one regret: running to the mound too quickly. "I wish I took my time a little bit on the run in, kind of [wore myself out] on that," Williams said with a smile. "I haven't ran that much all year."
Smith noted that pitchers often take their time getting to the mound in the playoffs, but that advice wasn't relayed to Williams. Williams threw only 18 pitches, so he is likely available for Game 5 in some capacity. "I'm good to go. It doesn't matter," Williams said. "Whatever they need me to do, I'll do it. If I got to start, I'll start. If I come out of the pen, I come out of the pen. It doesn't matter. I'll do anything."
The White Sox managed to force the Guardians' hand, knocking Smith out of the game and bringing Williams in. Chicago manager Will Venable acknowledged the impact. "It sets up a winner-take-all Game 5 with virtually any pitching possibility on the table for both teams," Venable said.
Both teams declined to name a starter for Game 5 after using a combined 15 pitchers in Game 4. Venable did say Sean Burke will pitch in Game 5, but it's unclear if he'll start or relieve. For the Guardians, it's almost certain that Smith will pitch at some point. Beyond that, nearly every option is being considered as the series shifts back to Cleveland.
The chaos of Game 4 not only evened the series but also wiped the slate clean for any pre-planned Game 5 strategies. The Guardians will need to regroup and determine their approach for the decisive game.
Originally reported by yahoo.