Game 1 of the ALDS is here, and the Cleveland Guardians are rolling out a roster built to match up with the Chicago White Sox from the jump.
Cleveland finalized its playoff group and then turned right around and revealed the lineup it will use for Saturday’s series opener. The Guardians have been riding their momentum all week, and now the postseason begins with a look at who’s available and who’s starting.
On the ALDS roster, Cleveland’s pitchers are Parker Messick, Gavin Williams, Joey Cantillo, Foster Griffin, Tanner Bibee, Daniel Espino, Matt Festa, Shawn Armstrong, Tim Herrin, Erik Sabrowksi, and Cade Smith.
The position-player group includes Travis Bazzana, Angel Genao, Nathaniel Lowe, Jose Ramirez, Brayan Rocchio, Daniel Schneemann, Jo Adell, Chase DeLauter, David Fry, Petey Halpin, Steven Kwan, and Angel Martinez.
For Game 1, Cleveland is going with Steven Kwan in center field, Jose Ramirez at third base, Chase DeLauter in right field, Jo Adell at designated hitter, Angel Martinez in left field, David Fry at first base, Travis Bazzana at second base, Austin Hedges behind the plate, Brayan Rocchio at shortstop, and Parker Messick on the mound.
There’s not a lot of drama in the first lineup card of the series. The Guardians have their top three hitters leading things off, then lean into matchup choices through the rest of the order.
With Chicago starting left-hander Hagen Smith, Cleveland is clearly stacking right-handed bats to take advantage of the platoon edge. That’s part of why David Fry and Austin Hedges are in there, even if both could end up as pinch-hit options later in the game.
Messick’s steady season has given Cleveland confidence all year, and now the Guardians are hoping that same consistency carries straight into the postseason opener.
In Other News...
Jo Adell Sends Guardians A Clear Message After Flat ALDS Opener
After a flat start to the American League Division Series, the Guardians were left searching for any spark after Chicagos pitching held them to three hits and no runs in Game 1. Clevelands offense never found a rhythm, and with the series shifting back to Progressive Field for Mondays Game 2, the tone around the team quickly turned from disappointment to urgency.
Jo Adell, who went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts, was among the players stressing the need to flush the opener and move on. For a Guardians club that knows how quickly a postseason series can tilt, the challenge now is to reset at home and come back with a cleaner, more aggressive approach before the White Sox can seize full control. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians Have A 20-Year-Old Shortstop Fans Need To Watch
Welbyn Francisca is the kind of young infielder who can make a prospect list feel alive, and the 20-year-old shortstop wasted little time reminding people why he has climbed so quickly through the Guardians system. On Opening Day in the Arizona Fall League, Francisca put together a loud all-around performance, going 5-for-5 with a double, a home run, three runs scored, three RBIs, a walk and a stolen base.
What makes that line especially notable is how it fits into the bigger arc of his year. Francisca spent the 2026 minor league season moving across multiple levels, batting .272 with 19 home runs and 53 RBIs despite missing time because of injury, and he is still showing the kind of impact that suggests his rise is far from finished. For Cleveland, the appeal is obvious: a young shortstop with production, athleticism and momentum, all in the same package. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians May Be Headed For A Costly 2027 Roster Squeeze
Major league clubs always keep one eye on the present and another on the payroll calendar, and the Guardians are getting a reminder of how quickly the bill can climb. MLB Trade Rumors recently laid out projected arbitration salaries for Clevelands 2027 roster, a snapshot that points to Steven Kwan and Jo Adell as two of the pricier names if the club keeps them in the fold.
The projections are only speculative and built from current performance and arbitration eligibility, but they underscore the kind of roster squeeze that can arrive fast for a contender trying to keep its core intact. Not every familiar face is a sure thing to stay, either, with Slade Cecconi and David Fry among the players whose futures could look different by then, leaving Cleveland to weigh cost against continuity. [Read more 🡒]