Here's how the pitching might line up for the White Sox-Guardians ALDS

CLEVELAND -- While battling for the American League Central title last month, the Guardians and White Sox divisional race featured an added reward: a first-round bye in the postseason that would allow the champ to set its preferred pitching plan for the AL Division Series.

That’s where we find ourselves now, as Cleveland and Chicago get set for their first-ever playoff matchup.

As the AL Central champion Guardians enjoyed a bye this week, they also lined up their staff anchors for the first two games of ALDS, which is set to kick off with Game 1 on Saturday at Progressive Field. Meanwhile, the White Sox are working through things after they completed a sweep of the Astros in the best-of-three AL Wild Card Series on Wednesday to advance.

Chicago’s plan, understandably, is less settled coming off its Wild Card series, though Cleveland has some uncertainty as well. What could the pitching matchups look like? Let’s take a look.

Guardians

Game 1
Parker Messick, LHP

Messick has come a long way in one year. The lefty wasn’t on the Guardians’ roster in the 2025 AL Wild Card Series, following his seven-start debut stint in the Majors down the stretch. This spring, he had to earn a spot on Cleveland’s Opening Day roster. Now, the Guards are hoping he paves the way as they push for October glory.

Messick’s stellar rookie season could make him a finalist for both the AL Cy Young Award and the Rookie of the Year Award. The 25-year-old had a 2.56 ERA (seventh in MLB) in 186 1/3 innings over 32 starts, with 193 strikeouts and 49 walks. In perhaps a good omen, he was particularly effective against Chicago, logging a 2.81 ERA with 29 strikeouts and five walks in 25 2/3 innings over four starts.

Game 2
Gavin Williams, RHP

If you like pitchers with overpowering stuff, Game 2 could be appointment viewing. This season, Williams racked up 248 strikeouts (second in MLB to Jacob Misiorowski’s 252) in 184 1/3 innings over 32 starts, all of which were career highs. He had double-digit punchouts in 11 of those outings, which led the Majors.

None of those 11 starts were against Chicago, though Williams did record a 3.98 ERA with 28 strikeouts and eight walks in 20 1/3 innings over four starts against the White Sox. His Game 2 assignment is noteworthy because it lines him up to pitch Game 5 (if necessary) back in Cleveland, whereas Messick is lined up for Game 4 in Chicago. Williams had a 2.84 ERA in 18 home starts this season, and a 5.05 ERA in 14 road starts.

Game 3
TBD, possibly opener Daniel Espino

The Guardians are still working through their plan here. Manager Stephen Vogt noted Thursday that they want to see how Games 1 and 2 go and what their potential needs are before making a decision.

Why could it be Espino? Of the 14 position players on the White Sox Wild Card Series roster, there were six lefties and one switch-hitter. Starting Espino as an opener for lefty Joey Cantillo could force Chicago to make a lineup decision, such as whether to start lefty smasher Randal Grichuk against Espino, or call his number after Cantillo enters.

Espino served as an opener in Cantillo’s final three appearances of the regular season after the lefty encountered some command issues. Cantillo tossed 15 scoreless innings, allowing five hits and four walks, while striking out 17 batters in those outings. The formula could work in October.

All that being said: The Guardians have a flurry of options, between Espino/Cantillo, Tanner Bibee and Foster Griffin. Stay tuned.

White Sox

Game 1
TBD

Placing TBD on all three starting pitchers might seem to be a bit of a cop-out, but to be honest, even the most experienced White Soxologist couldn’t give you definitive answers for any or all three days. The reason? Manager Will Venable probably has the framework of what the White Sox want to do, but isn’t 100% certain.

When asked Wednesday, as part of the Wild Card sweep celebration, Venable smiled and gave the expected “We don’t know” response.

Even TBD is listed where the Game 1 starting pitcher is scheduled in the interview room during Friday’s workout day at Progressive Field. Anthony Kay made perfect sense to get the ball in Game 1, having last pitched Sunday against the Rockies, but the White Sox needed Kay to work in relief and close out the fifth inning against the Astros on Wednesday.

Erick Fedde was another option, having worked as a starter and bulk hurler. But Fedde, in fitting fashion, eliminated the Astros over the last two innings Wednesday. He was one of the few bright spots from the debacle that was the 2024 season, so it was a full circle moment.

Rookie southpaw Hagen Smith started and went three scoreless innings in Tuesday’s victory over Houston, and has induced some of the ugliest opponent swings seen over his short time in the Majors. Davis Martin, who was one of the top starters in baseball over an 8-1 start into the end of May, has not pitched since Sept. 26, and could start or give the White Sox innings in relief. The team is looking at matchups or pockets of hitters in determining how to align their arms.

Game 2
TBD (Maybe Sean Burke)

With Sunday’s off-day, Burke would be pitching on regular rest Monday after striking out eight over four innings against the Astros on Wednesday. But the White Sox don’t really have a starting rotation at this point, so this possibility would be nothing more than a slightly educated guess.

Burke recently joked that the White Sox have 13 pitchers, or 12 in the Wild Card round, but they don’t look at anyone as a starter or reliever. This is not a situation of trying to outsmart the opposition by usage of an opener, but it’s more about Venable and his staff trying to win each game and nothing more. It has produced one of the best Major League Baseball stories this season, so why change now?

Game 3
TBD (Maybe Kay)

Again, Kay would make sense, having last pitched Wednesday. But he might be needed in one of the first two games. Everything is fluid.

One thing to consider: Martin has a 5-3 record with a 3.13 ERA over 15 home starts against a 4-5 record and 4.68 ERA over 14 appearances (13 starts) on the road. Let’s not forget rookie Noah Schultz, who has been impressive working multiple innings out of the bullpen, or rookie David Sandlin, a starter who worked in relief against the Astros. Sean Newcomb has done a little bit of everything this season, with a 3.24 ERA over eight games against the Guardians. So he’s always a possibility.