ST. PETERSBURG -- Parker Messick was 7 years old on Oct. 23, 2008, when he watched the Rays beat the Phillies, 4-2, at Tropicana Field in Game 2 of the World Series. Nearly 18 years later, he’ll experience October baseball in this ballpark in a much different manner.
On Monday, manager Stephen Vogt named Messick the Guardians’ starter for Game 2 of the American League Championship Series against the Rays. When Messick takes the mound on Tuesday, it will mark a full circle moment for him.
Not to mention a big moment as the Guardians look to get one step closer to the World Series.
“I have so many good memories here,” Messick said. “It's an awesome experience every time I get to step out there. To be able to do it on this stage now is just an incredible opportunity. Thankful to the Lord for that. So hopefully it will be a good one.”
Messick grew up in Plant City, Fla., which he said is known for its great people, great food and its Strawberry Festival. He attended games at The Trop from childhood through college, before the Guardians selected him in the second round of the 2022 Draft out of Florida State.
Messick has faced the Rays in Florida twice since he first reached the Majors last year; he allowed one run over six innings on Sept. 7, 2025, at George M. Steinbrenner Field, and one run over 7 2/3 innings at The Trop on July 26 this season. He had a large contingent of family and friends at both of those games, and he will once more on Tuesday. Plant City is even throwing a watch party for him.
The stakes will be much higher this time, but Messick doesn’t expect the homecoming factor to be any different than the previous instances.
“I've handled it both times pretty well. Both starts have been fine,” he said. “So I anticipate this just being another day I get to see family and get to pitch in front of the people that care most about me.”
Messick was the most logical option to start Game 2. He emerged as an AL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year contender this season, and he will be on normal rest after starting Game 4 of the ALDS against the White Sox.
Messick threw 65 pitches over 2 1/3 innings that start and was charged with two runs on two hits and a career-high-tying four walks. He enjoyed pitching in that environment, and he didn’t sound too concerned about his command coming off that start.
“There were high-energy moments, a couple big innings, missed some pitches by tiny margins that ended up in walks,” Messick said. “If the ball's toward the plate, I think we're talking a whole different conversation. Not really too much to be worried about. Just take what I did good and build off of it.”
Messick has tossed 193 innings this season between the regular season and playoffs. He has blown past his previous professional career high of 138 1/3 set in 2025 between the Majors and Triple-A Columbus.
Fatigue is a factor for every player at this point in the season. Messick said the key for him is leaning on the routines that got him here, and all in all he feels good physically. As he noted, his average four-seam fastball velocity on Thursday (95.6 mph) was above his season average (94.4).
“You can definitely tell it's October baseball. But everyone goes through it,” Messick said. “You've got to find a way to dig deep and keep going. I feel great, though.”
Now, the rookie left-hander who had an up-close look at October baseball in this ballpark as a kid could get one step closer to a return trip to the World Series.