The Guardians chose a more aggressive look for Game 2 against the White Sox, and after the flat showing in the opener, that was the point.
Cleveland made a couple of notable changes to the lineup, bringing Patrick Bailey in behind the plate for Austin Hedges and starting Nathaniel Lowe at first base instead of David Fry. The rest of the card was also shuffled to get more offense into the mix, with Chase DeLauter and Jo Adell switching defensive spots and Angel Martínez moving lower in the order to make room for Lowe.
The Guardians’ lineup: Steven Kwan in center, José Ramírez at third, DeLauter in right, Adell at designated hitter, Lowe at first, Martínez in left, Travis Bazzana at second, Bailey at catcher and Brayan Rocchio at shortstop.
That setup gives Cleveland all its sluggers a place in the lineup against Chicago. The thinking behind Lowe is pretty clear: Anthony Kay is starting for the White Sox, but right-hander Sean Burke is expected to handle most of the middle innings.
Lowe may have to deal with Kay early, yet the Guardians are banking on him doing damage against the right-handed relief that should follow. He already gave them a glimpse of that in Game 1, coming off the bench and going 1-for-2 with a double, a walk and a strikeout.
Adell’s spot matters too. With Chicago opening with a lefty and then likely turning to a right-handed bulk arm, the Guardians are trying to keep Adell in a place where he can get as many chances as possible against left-handed pitching. Keeping him in the No. 4 spot fits that plan.
Bailey isn’t being asked to carry the offense, but he did contribute in Game 1. He was responsible for one of Cleveland’s three hits, lining a pinch-hit single against Grant Taylor.
Chicago answered with a full reset of its own. The White Sox overhauled their lineup from Game 1, adding Andrew Benintendi, Sam Antonacci and Tristan Peters, with Peters previously appearing as a pinch-hitter.
They also bumped Kyle Teel up to the No. 2 spot and slid Chase Meidorth down to No. 8.
In Other News...
Guardians Suddenly Have A Real First Base Problem
Clevelands run to a third straight AL Central title came with plenty of familiar caveats, but first base has emerged as one of the clearest offseason questions on the roster. Kyle Manzardo looked like part of the answer after his breakout in 2025, only to stumble offensively in 2026 and wind up back in Triple-A. The Guardians responded at the trade deadline by adding Nathaniel Lowe and Jo Adell, a sign they were willing to patch the spot quickly rather than wait for the bats to come around.
Now the bigger issue is what comes next. Manzardos future in Cleveland is uncertain, and prospect Ralphy Velazquez is expected to take over first base, which puts the organization in a position it likely did not expect when the season started. The Guardians have survived roster uncertainty before, but this one has the feel of a move that could reshape how they handle the position for the long haul. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians Need Someone Else To Deliver Their Big October Moment
The Guardians had plenty of pitching in place for a familiar playoff script, but the first game of the ALDS turned on the kind of offensive drought that can make even a solid performance feel hollow. Chicagos 3-0 win was driven by Munetaka Murakamis two-run homer, while Cleveland spent the night trying to solve a parade of White Sox arms, including Anthony Kay and Sean Burke, and never found the timely hit it needed.
Clevelands players pointed to the challenge of facing multiple starters in one game, even as they leaned on the comfort of having seen this Chicago pitching staff during the regular season. The bigger issue is less about recognition than execution, because the Guardians now need someone beyond the mound work to supply the defining October swing if they want this series to tilt back their way. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians Need Jo Adell To Answer After Game 1 Exposed A Problem
Jo Adells view of Game 1 was pretty simple: the White Sox made the night feel uncomfortable from the start. Chicago kept changing pitchers and angles, and Cleveland never settled in at the plate, finishing with just three hits in a 3-0 loss that left the Guardians chasing the series before it really found a rhythm.
The good news for Cleveland is that the fix sounds familiar even if the setting is tense. The Guardians know they need a sharper approach and better work with runners in scoring position in Game 2, because dropping another one would put them in a tough 2-0 hole and make every adjustment from here on out feel a little more urgent. [Read more 🡒]