Cleveland Guardians News

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Travis Bazzana • 2B • Guardians

Travis Bazzana Hits First Playoff Home Run in Loss to Rays

Cleveland Guardians rookie second baseman Travis Bazzana went 2-for-3 at the plate with his first career postseason home run as the Guardians came up short 7-3 in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday night. Bazzana's home run came in the seventh inning, when the Guardians put up a little rally, but it was not nearly enough as the Rays tied the best-of-seven series at two games apiece. "We've been in situations where it gets tough, where it gets tighter and it gets harder a little closer to the end of the season," Bazzana said. "You've just got to fight for that next win." The 24-year-old former first overall pick in 2024 from Oregon State has struggled so far in his first nine postseason games, going 6-for-30 (.200) with the home run, two RBI, four runs scored, a stolen base, four walks, and six strikeouts in 34 plate appearances. The Australian native has been hot since the start of September, though, slashing .280/.365/.613 with six home runs, 15 RBI, 14 runs scored, and a stolen base.

11 hours ago

Shawn Armstrong • RP • Guardians

Shawn Armstrong Serving as Opener in Game 4 of ALCS

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Shawn Armstrong will serve as the opener for Cleveland in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Friday night in Cleveland against the Tampa Bay Rays, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. Armstrong will not go more than a couple of innings in this one, with Tanner Bibee and Joey Cantillo being the most likely options to pitch in bulk relief as the Guardians look to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Armstrong has been money for the Guards this postseason, throwing 5 1/3 shutout innings with just one hit allowed, no walks, and five strikeouts while picking up one hold in his four appearances out of the bullpen. He has very little experience against the Rays from the regular season, but it was not pretty in the two-thirds of an inning when he faced them, as he surrendered three earned runs on one hit walk walking two. All 41 of Armstrong's appearances during the regular season came in relief, and he went 2-1 with a 4.58 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 34 strikeouts in 35 1/3 innings pitched.

2 days ago

Petey Halpin • CF • Guardians

Petey Halpin Comes Through for Cleveland in ALCS Game 3 Victory

Cleveland Guardians outfielder Petey Halpin was the hero of his team's 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series on Thursday, slugging a go-ahead, two-run home run off Rays right-hander Griffin Jax in the fifth inning. It was Halpin's lone hit of the game, but it put Cleveland ahead for good and allowed the Guardians to take a 2-1 lead in the series. Halpin is on Cleveland's playoff roster for his speed and defense in center field, as he hit .225/.268/.326 with four home runs, 14 RBI, 27 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases across 195 plate appearances in the regular season. However, the 24-year-old has been an unlikely contributor in the postseason, logging three extra-base hits in 13 plate appearances. Given his play thus far, Halpin may profile as Cleveland's starting center fielder the rest of the way in the ALCS.

2 days ago

Gavin Williams • SP • Guardians

Gavin Williams Continues Strikeout Dominance in ALCS Game 3 Win

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Gavin Williams picked up his second postseason win in his team's 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series on Thursday, allowing two hits, a walk, and two earned runs while striking out nine over five innings. The 27-year-old emerged as one of baseball's top strikeout arms during the regular season, posting a 14-8 record with a 3.76 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 248 strikeouts over 184 1/3 innings (32 starts). Williams has been absolutely essential to Cleveland's postseason success as well, allowing just eight hits and four earned runs while striking out 33 across 16 2/3 innings. Williams has struck out a ridiculous 51.6% of the batters he's faced so far in the playoffs. If the ALCS gets that far, Williams would likely line up as Cleveland's Game 7 starter.

2 days ago

Parker Messick • SP • Guardians

Parker Messick Picks Up Loss in Game 2 of ALCS

Cleveland Guardians left-handed pitcher Parker Messick picked up the loss in Game 2 of the ALCS on Tuesday night despite not allowing an earned run to the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays broke through with three runs in the fourth inning after an error from third baseman Jose Ramirez opened the floodgates. Messick, pitching in front of friends and family near his hometown, allowed six hits and walked two batters, but struck out three. It was clearly not Messick's sharpest outing of the postseason, as the rookie has been very good lately in the playoffs. Despite not having earned runs in his box score, Messick was not at his best over his 82 pitches with 47 for strikes.

4 days ago

Parker Messick • SP • Guardians

Parker Messick to Start Game 2 of ALCS Against Rays

Cleveland Guardians left-hander Parker Messick has been tabbed to start Game 2 of the American League Championship Series on Tuesday night on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN. Messick is a Tampa Bay area native and went to high school around 45 minutes from Tropicana Field. The 25-year-old southpaw made his first start in Tampa for the Guardians last year and allowed just one run over six innings. In late July this year, Messick allowed just one run in his 7 2/3 innings pitched. "He's had two straight very good starts here in front of his family and friends. It's always a special boost when you get to play at home as a player," manager Stephen Vogt said. Messick was a first-time All-Star in 2026 and went 12-9 in the regular season with a 2.56 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 193:49 K:BB in 186 1/3 innings in 32 starts in his second year in the majors. Messick is hoping to turn things around in his first taste of the postseason after giving up four earned runs with six walks and 11 strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings in two starts against the Chicago White Sox in the AL Division Series.

6 days ago

Foster Griffin • SP • Guardians

Foster Griffin Will Start Game 1 of ALCS Against Rays

Cleveland Guardians left-hander Foster Griffin will start Game 1 of the American League Championship Series for the Guardians on Monday night on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays, according to Nick Camino of WKYC. In his postseason debut in Game 3 of the AL Division Series, Griffin allowed an earned run on two hits while walking none and striking out seven in just 2 2/3 innings against the Chicago White Sox in a 9-3 victory. Griffin was a first-time All-Star during the 2026 season, going 15-6 with a 3.60 ERA (3.96 FIP) and 1.21 WHIP, with a career-high 158 strikeouts and 45 walks in 172 2/3 innings over 31 starts with the Guardians and Washington Nationals. He went 3-3 with a 5.19 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, and 42:15 K:BB in 43 1/3 frames in nine starts with the Guardians to close out the season. Griffin did not face the Rays at all during the regular season. The 31-year-old southpaw went 8-4 with a 3.76 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 84:22 K:BB in 88 2/3 innings over 16 starts on the road this year.

7 days ago

Cade Smith • RP • Guardians |

Cade Smith • SP • Yankees

Cade Smith Dominant in Extended Save in Game 5

Cleveland Guardians closer Cade Smith was extended for 1 2/3 innings of Game 5 of the American League Division Series against the Chicago White Sox on Saturday night and came through to get the final five outs of the game in dominant fashion. The intimidating presence on the mound made his way through the end of the game by striking out four of the five White Sox hitters he faced in a perfect 1 2/3 innings. It was the first save of the postseason recorded by Smith, who saved 41 games during the regular season. Smith struck out 107 batters in 74 innings pitched during the year and pitched to a 1.95 ERA and 0.96 WHIP. The imposing right-handed pitcher is a huge weapon for the Guardians to have in the back end of their bullpen, especially when he can be extended to pitch more than one inning in a clutch, tight game.

7 days ago

José Ramírez • 3B • Guardians

Jose Ramirez Hits Decisive Homer To Lift Guardians

Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez delivered the clutch hit of Game 5 of the American League Division Series against the Chicago White Sox on Saturday night by launching a two-run home run in the fourth inning, providing all the scoring Cleveland would need in the game. Ramirez was 1-for-3 in the game with the homer and a walk. In five postseason games, the talented switch hitter has two homers and seven RBI while hitting 5-for-18 with six runs scored. Ramirez is the bat that helps get the Guardians going in most instances, and this Game 5 was no different as he came up with the clutch blow by taking Chicago pitcher Sean Burke deep.

7 days ago

Gavin Williams • SP • Guardians

Gavin Williams Elite In Game 5 Win Over White Sox

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Gavin Williams pitched a brilliant game, shutting out the Chicago White Sox in the decisive Game 5 home win on Saturday night in the American League Division Series. The talented right-hander lasted 5 2/3 innings of scoreless ball with 12 strikeouts while giving up just one hit and walking two White Sox hitters. Williams came up clutch in front of his home fans in the biggest game of the series to help Cleveland complete a comeback from a 2-0 deficit in the series. Williams was also good in his last start of the series, when he struck out 11 and gave up two earned runs in his five innings of work. The Guardians bullpen was stellar on Saturday night in keeping the lead that Williams helped stake them to. The next step for Williams in the playoffs is to last longer into the game, but when he is striking out so many batters, his pitch count gets high.

7 days ago

Gavin Williams • SP • Guardians

Gavin Williams to Start for Guardians in Game 5 of ALDS

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Gavin Williams will start for the team in Game 5 of the American League Division Series on Saturday night at home against the division-rival Chicago White Sox, according to Zack Meisel of MLB.com. Williams made the start in Game 2 of the ALDS against Chicago and picked up a no-decision, allowing two earned runs on four hits while walking three and fanning 11 in five innings of work. The Guardians brought him in to finish out a 9-5 victory in Game 4 of the best-of-five series on Thursday, and he did not allow a run in his inning of work with no walks and a strikeout. The 27-year-old former first-rounder in 2021 from East Carolina led the AL with 248 strikeouts in the regular season in 2026, and he also went 14-8 with a 3.76 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 248:61 K:BB in 184 1/3 frames over 32 starts. Williams has plenty of experience against the Pale Hose this year, making four starts against them during the regular season and posting a 3.98 ERA with 17 hits allowed (two home runs), eight walks, and 28 strikeouts in 20 1/3 innings pitched. Cleveland is hoping Williams can continue to miss bats at a high rate and carry them to the AL Championship Series to face the Tampa Bay Rays.

Oct 9

José Ramírez • 3B • Guardians

Jose Ramirez Hits Clutch Two-Run Homer to Force Game 5

Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez has come around for the Guardians in must-win situations in each of the last two games of the American League Division Series against the division-rival Chicago White Sox. In the 9-5 win in Chicago on Thursday night, Ramirez went 2-for-5 at the plate with a home run, three RBI, and two runs scored out of the two-hole. The 34-year-old All-Star hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the fifth inning off White Sox right-handed reliever Jordan Hicks to give the Guardians a 3-2 lead. The home run was J-Ram's 43rd career postseason hit, which tied Jim Thome for third in Cleveland franchise history. The Dominican had a down year during the 2026 regular season, primarily due to a broken hamate bone in his hand. He finished with a .235/.320/.368 slash line with a .688 OPS, 12 home runs, 53 RBI, 37 stolen bases, and 71 runs scored across his 473 at-bats. It was the first time that the perennial All-Star hit under 20 home runs since the COVID-shortened season in 2020. If Ramirez continues to heat up and the Guards come back to win the ALDS from down two games to none, the Tampa Bay Rays will have a lot to deal with in the ALCS.

Oct 9

Foster Griffin • SP • Guardians

Foster Griffin Strikes Out Seven in ALDS Game 3 Win on Wednesday

Cleveland Guardians left-hander Foster Griffin was dominant in a bulk relief appearance in his team's 9-3 win over the Chicago White Sox in Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday. Griffin followed Cleveland opener Daniel Espino and allowed two hits and one earned run while striking out seven across 2 2/3 innings of work. The 31-year-old was used exclusively as a starting pitcher during the regular season, posting a 15-6 record with a 3.60 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 158 strikeouts across 172 2/3 innings (31 starts) split between the Guardians and the Washington Nationals. However, Griffin struggled mightily late in the year, pitching to a 5.05 ERA in the second half and a 6.87 ERA across 18 1/3 innings in September. If Griffin can rediscover his early-season form in a bullpen role, he could help Cleveland mount a comeback in the ALDS.

Oct 7

Jo Adell • RF • Guardians

Jo Adell Drives in Three in ALDS Game 3 Victory on Wednesday

Cleveland Guardians outfielder Jo Adell had a big night in his team's 9-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox in Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday, going 2-for-4 with a walk and three RBI. With the game tied 1-1 in the third inning, Adell put the Guardians ahead for good with a three-run triple off of White Sox left-hander Hagen Smith. Across 660 regular-season plate appearances split between the Guardians and the Los Angeles Angels, Adell hit .240/.298/.401 with 23 home runs, 94 RBI, 70 runs scored, and five stolen bases. He was better with Cleveland than he was with Los Angeles, posting a .740 OPS across 204 trips to the plate after the Guardians acquired him at the trade deadline. Adell has notched a couple of key hits for Cleveland in the ALDS and now has four RBI across the first three games of the series.

Oct 7

Cade Smith • RP • Guardians |

Cade Smith • SP • Yankees

Cade Smith Shuts the Door in ALDS Game 3 Victory on Wednesday

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Cade Smith was lights out to secure his team's 9-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox in Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday. Smith entered the game in the eighth inning and recorded the final six outs, logging five strikeouts without allowing a single baserunner. The 27-year-old was one of the best closers in baseball during the regular season, pitching to a 1.95 ERA and 0.96 WHIP with 107 strikeouts and 41 saves across 74 innings (69 games). Smith has been dominant so far in the Division Series as well, as he's yet to allow a hit or a walk in his four innings of work. If Cleveland is going to mount a comeback in the series, it will likely need Smith to continue his dominance.

Oct 7

José Ramírez • 3B • Guardians

Jose Ramirez Comes Up Clutch in ALDS Game 3 Win on Wednesday

Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez was one of the stars of his team's 9-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox in Game 3 of the American League Division Series. In five plate appearances, Ramirez recorded a double, a triple, a walk, two RBI, two runs scored, and a stolen base. With Cleveland leading 5-3 in the 8th inning, it was Ramirez's two-run triple that sealed the win for the Guardians and kept the series alive to see Game 4. The 34-year-old battled through injuries and underperformance in 2026, hitting .235/.320/.368 with 12 home runs, 53 RBI, 71 runs scored, and 37 stolen bases across 544 plate appearances. Ramirez also got off to a slow start in the postseason, going hitless in his first eight trips to the plate against the White Sox. If Cleveland is going to rally all the way back from two games down in the ALDS, it will need Ramirez to stay hot in Games 4 and 5.

Oct 7

Gavin Williams • SP • Guardians

Gavin Williams Strikes Out 11 in Game 2 Loss

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Gavin Williams was not able to pitch his team to victory in Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Chicago White Sox. However, Williams did his part, striking out 11 while allowing two earned runs across five innings of work. The 27-year-old was one of the best strikeout pitchers in baseball during the regular season, recording a 14-8 record with a 3.76 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 248 strikeouts across 184 1/3 innings (32 starts). The Guardians are now down two games to zero with the series heading to Chicago and face an uphill battle to fight their way back to a Game 5. However, if they can win the next two games, Williams would be in position to start a theoretical Game 5 on regular rest.

Oct 5

Parker Messick • SP • Guardians

Parker Messick Will Take the Hill Against the White Sox In Game 1 of ALDS

Left-handed pitcher Parker Messick will take the ball for Game 1 for the Cleveland Guardians as they take on the Chicago White Sox in the ALDS. Messick was 12-9 during the regular season with a 2.56 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 193 strikeouts in 186 1/3 innings. Messick will look to shut down a talented White Sox lineup that is very deep and can do damage from all thirds of the lineup. Messick will take the ball as the Guardians' ace and face an opener in Hagen Smith. The Guardians will hope to get some length from Messick to set up what is a good bullpen backed by quality closer in Cade Smith. Messick has good career numbers against the White Sox and will look to get settled in right from the start in Game 1 on Saturday afternoon.

Oct 3

Travis Bazzana • 2B • Guardians

Travis Bazzana a Priority Add Amid September Surge

Across 501 plate appearances in 2026, Cleveland Guardians second baseman Travis Bazzana is hitting .245/.337/.404 with 15 home runs, 57 RBI, 53 runs scored, and 19 stolen bases. The 24-year-old's underlying batted-ball metrics are underwhelming, as he's logged just a 4.8% barrel rate and a 36.2% hard-hit rate. However, Bazzana's 11.2% walk rate is impressive for a young player and helps him get on base consistently and use his speed. Bazzana has also been red-hot of late, hitting .288 with six home runs, 15 RBI, and 11 runs scored across 69 plate appearances in September. If the former top prospect is starting to grow into his power, he could begin to emerge as one of the better second base options for fantasy managers. In leagues where he's on the waiver wire, Bazzana should be a priority target for fantasy managers.

Sep 24

Chase DeLauter • RF • Guardians

Chase DeLauter Returns From Wrist Injury on Friday

Cleveland Guardians rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter (wrist) is starting in right field and batting third for the Guardians on Friday against the visiting Athletics and right-hander Mason Barnett, per MLB.com. DeLauter has missed some time in recent weeks with a sprained right wrist, but he is back in action to begin the weekend series against the A's after missing each of the last two games on Tuesday and Wednesday against the division-rival Chicago White Sox. The 24-year-old former first-rounder has been money for Cleveland in his first year in the big leagues in 2026, slashing .289/.362/.453 with an .815 OPS, 14 home runs, 62 RBI, 57 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases across his 464 at-bats. DeLauter has only gone deep three times in 45 second-half games, but he has hit lefties well and is coming off a month of August in which he slashed .363/.440/.538 with a .977 OPS, two homers, and nine RBI in 22 games played. If his wrist injury does not impact him the rest of the way, DeLauter will be looking to put a bow on a strong first year in the bigs.

Sep 18

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