How Friday's postponement impacts Guardians' ALCS pitching plans

CLEVELAND -- Manager Stephen Vogt made clear the rainout that postponed Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Friday won’t have any bearing on the Guardians’ pitching plans in the rescheduled contest on Saturday.

“[Shawn] Armstrong's going to start for us tomorrow,” Vogt said Friday night.

As for after Armstrong, both on Saturday and beyond in this series? Stay tuned.

The Guardians (who have a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series) knew Friday could be problematic weather-wise going in. The rainstorm that overtook Northeast Ohio did not come as a surprise.

In the end, the Guardians and Rays both spent several hours at Progressive Field on Friday without playing a ballgame. The rain was unsurprising, and never is in this city -- which is in part why Vogt doesn’t expect the postponement to have any negative effects.

“This is baseball. This is Cleveland,” Vogt said. “We're more than used to these kinds of days.”

The postponement will have an impact on the Guardians’ pitching, in some fashion, this series. Here are a few things to consider.

1. Sticking with Armstrong
Vogt noted Friday afternoon the Guardians long pinpointed Game 4 as a potential bullpen game in this series. It wasn’t exactly a surprise he reaffirmed that plan after the postponement, but the Guards had newfound options.

Vogt said pregame Foster Griffin was “in line to be ready to pitch” Saturday. That was far from him naming Griffin his starter, but the left-hander will be on normal rest after starting Game 1 on Monday.

The Guardians had the option to move Griffin’s next outing up from Game 5 to Game 4. That’s not the plan, but it doesn’t rule out Griffin following Armstrong on Saturday as a bulk reliever. When asked if Griffin will be in play in the rescheduled Game 4, Vogt demurred.

“Armstrong will start tomorrow,” the skipper said once more.

Griffin was charged with two runs on five hits over four innings in Game 1, and both tallies scored in the first inning. Yandy Díaz hit a leadoff double and scored on a Junior Caminero RBI single. Armstrong serving as an opener would let Griffin enter after those stars (both of whom hit right-handed) bat.

2. What’s next for Parker Messick?
Similar to Griffin’s next turn, the postponement could impact Messick, who started Game 2 on Tuesday at Tropicana Field. The Plant City, Fla., native was in line to make a second start in his backyard in Game 6 at The Trop on Monday on five days’ rest.

Now, the Guardians could move their ace rookie up to the rescheduled Game 5 on Sunday, when they could be in position to clinch the pennant. But how Saturday goes will play into the Sunday pitching plan.

The Guardians have three starters available in relief on Saturday in Tanner Bibee, Joey Cantillo and Slade Cecconi. If Griffin doesn’t pitch in Game 4, he could start Game 5 on five days’ rest, and Messick could follow suit in Game 6. That could potentially be beneficial to Messick.

Messick has thrown 198 innings in 2026 between the regular season and postseason. That’s well above the career high he set in 2025 (138 1/3 between Cleveland and Triple-A Columbus). An extra day of rest couldn’t hurt this time of year, but the Guardians, as always, will go off how he’s feeling and what their needs are.

Whether Messick starts Game 5 or Game 6, Gavin Williams seems likely to stay in line to pitch Game 7 (if necessary) on four days’ rest -- or Game 1 of the World Series against the Brewers on Friday.

3. Four in a row
The Guardians went the distance against the White Sox in the best-of-five ALDS. They had nearly as many off-days along the way, with three. Cleveland will have no luxury as it looks to close out Tampa Bay to win its first pennant since 2016.

Game 4 is Saturday, and Game 5 is set for 5 p.m. ET on Sunday. Games 6 and 7 (if necessary) are set for Monday and Tuesday.

“Let's go. It's [like] the regular season,” Vogt said of the challenge. “We've played four in a row all the time. Obviously it's not ideal for either team. I think we both wanted to play today. It just wasn't in the cards.

“We've got four games in a row. We have an opportunity to win some games and move on. That's all we're focused on.”

The Guardians' bullpen has carried a heavy workload this postseason, including Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis (seven appearances each) and Erik Sabrowski (six). They could be needed often the next few days.

“I still feel good, especially coming in today,” Gaddis said before the postponement. “I'm ready for the ball. I want the ball as much as possible. I’ve been blessed and lucky enough to still be able to go out there and give it my 100 percent.”