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The Cleveland Guardians are gearing up for a crucial elimination game on Thursday, and their pitching strategy might just give them the upper hand in the ALDS against the Chicago White Sox. Left-hander Parker Messick is slated to take the mound on regular rest, providing a stable presence for Cleveland, whereas Chicago is expected to piece together the game with multiple relievers.
In a clip shared by Foul Territory on X (formerly Twitter), The Athletic's Zack Meisel highlighted why this game sets up well for the Guardians. "This game four was always the game that was going to be set up most favorably for Cleveland because they've got Parker Messick on regular rest, he's their ace, and the White Sox, with their pitching chaos and leaning so heavily on the bullpen, they've got to do this for a second day in a row," Meisel explained.
Messick, who last pitched in Game 1 four days ago, allowed two runs over 4 1/3 innings while striking out six. During the regular season, he compiled a 12-9 record with a 2.56 ERA in 32 starts.
Chicago will counter with left-hander Hagen Smith as an opener. Smith threw 21 pitches in relief during Wednesday's Game 3 loss, retiring two batters and giving up one earned run.
Cleveland's bullpen also shone on Wednesday, as seven pitchers combined for 19 strikeouts, setting a new MLB postseason record for a nine-inning game.
The White Sox currently lead the series 2-1 after taking the first two games in Cleveland. However, the Guardians avoided elimination with a 9-3 win on Wednesday night at Rate Field. A Cleveland victory on Thursday would force a Game 5 on Saturday at Progressive Field, while a Chicago win would send the White Sox to the ALCS and end the Guardians' 2026 season.
Key Analysis
The Guardians' decision to start Messick on regular rest could be a game-changer. With Chicago's bullpen taxed from consecutive days of heavy usage, Cleveland's stable starting pitching might exploit that weakness. Messick's impressive regular-season numbers and his solid outing in Game 1 suggest he can deliver a strong performance when it matters most. Meanwhile, the White Sox's bullpen-heavy approach carries risk, especially after a record-setting strikeout performance by Cleveland's relievers in Game 3. This matchup could very well determine whether the series extends to a decisive Game 5.
Originally reported by yahoo.