A Playoff Dilemma for the Guardians

Boston, Massachusetts - September 22, 2026: Cleveland Guardians pitcher Parker Messick (#77) took the mound during the match with the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. (Photo by Joe Sullivan/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

The Guardians are just one win away from securing a playoff berth and a potential wildcard appearance. If they emerge victorious tonight, they would clinch a spot in the postseason. However, the team must also consider careful decisions regarding their pitching options to maximize their chances of success.

A win tonight would give the Guardians the #2 seed in the American League, guaranteeing a first-round bye in the playoffs. This would provide crucial rest for their starting pitchers and give them an advantage in the early stages of the postseason. The Guardians would then face the winner of the division in a best-of-three series on September 29th.

Currently, Daniel Espino and Joey Cantillo are scheduled to start today, while Gavin Williams, Tanner Bibee, and Parker Messick are set to take the mound in the final three games. Ideally, the Guardians would like Williams and Messick to start games one and two of their series on regular rest. If they can secure the #2 seed, it would be worth the risk to allow them to pitch this week as planned.

However, if the Guardians lose tonight while the White Sox defeat the Royals, and Cleveland still secures a playoff berth, they should reconsider their approach. The White Sox are likely to advance to the playoffs, and if they face the Rockies in the final games, they may sweep the series. In this scenario, the Guardians should prioritize resting their top pitchers, such as Williams and Messick, and bring Joey Cantillo in as a reserve starter for the wildcard series.

The Guardians' best pitchers, Williams and Messick, are their most valuable assets with the highest impact on their playoff run. It is crucial to leverage their abilities effectively to increase their chances of reaching the postseason. If the Guardians are still unsure after today's game, they can start Williams tomorrow and reassess their strategy before Sunday's start.

It is essential that the Guardians avoid starting Messick on Sunday if they are tied with the White Sox entering Sunday but assured of a playoff berth. Williams should start in game two instead. To facilitate this, the team may need to acquire Austin Peterson or Logan Allen for a spot start, or Slade Cecconi could return to the rotation if necessary.