Overview
- Manager Stephen Vogt formally announced Thursday that rookie left-hander Parker Messick will start Game 1 of the AL Division Series at Progressive Field and Gavin Williams will start Game 2.
- Messick earned the assignment after a 2026 rookie season in which he went 12-9 with a 2.56 ERA and led qualified rookies in innings pitched, making him the first Cleveland rookie to draw a postseason start since 2016.
- Williams will take the ball in Game 2 after a 14-8 season with a 3.76 ERA and 248 strikeouts, the second-most in MLB this year.
- Both clubs know each other well after a tight 7-6 regular-season series for Chicago, Messick said there are “no secrets” between the teams, and reporters flagged conflicting game-by-game stat lines for Messick versus the White Sox across outlets.
- Cleveland’s first-round bye leaves its bullpen rested and gives Vogt flexibility to adjust the rotation as the series unfolds, with Game 1 slated for 1 p.m. ET at Progressive Field and further decisions to follow based on how the first two games play out.