Guards tab star rookie Messick, AL strikeout king Williams for ALDS Games 1-2

The Guardians have set the start of their rotation for the upcoming American League Division Series against the division rival White Sox. Manager Stephen Vogt said Parker Messick will get the ball in Saturday’s Game 1, while Gavin Williams will start Monday’s Game 2. Both games will be played in Cleveland.

Messick, 25, has been excellent in his rookie campaign. The lefty started 32 games in the regular season to the tune of a 2.56 ERA and 1.06 WHIP. It will be his first postseason appearance.

A candidate for the AL Rookie of the Year Award and a first-time All-Star, Messick started four games against the White Sox, posting a 2.81 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 25 2/3 innings. The Guardians were 2-2 in those games.

Williams, meanwhile, finished the year with a 3.76 ERA in 32 starts. The 27-year-old righty’s 248 strikeouts also led the American League. Like Messick, Williams started against the White Sox four times this season, though Cleveland went just 1-3 in those games. Williams allowed no more than three runs in any of those starts but also did not complete six innings in any of them, finishing with a 3.98 ERA in 20 1/3 innings.

This will be the third postseason appearance for Williams. After a shaky playoff debut in which he allowed three runs in 2 1/3 innings against the Yankees in the 2024 ALCS, Williams spun six innings with eight strikeouts against the Tigers in last year’s Wild Card Series. He allowed just two unearned runs in that game but was saddled with the loss.

The White Sox, who swept the Astros in the Wild Card Series this week behind a bullpen game and starter Sean Burke, have yet to announce their pitching plans.