CHICAGO — There is no complicated way to describe what the Guardians face Wednesday afternoon.
Win, or the season is over.
Cleveland enters Game 3 of the American League Division Series trailing the Chicago White Sox 2-0 after dropping both games at Progressive Field. The Guardians were shut out 3-0 in the opener before falling 4-3 Monday despite Gavin Williams striking out 11 over five strong innings.
Game Information
| Matchup | Cleveland Guardians at Chicago White Sox — ALDS Game 3 |
| First Pitch | 4 p.m. ET |
| Location | Rate Field — Chicago |
| Starting Pitchers | Daniel Espino (RHP) 0-0, 4.11 ERA vs. Sean Newcomb (LHP) 2-5, 3.09 ERA |
| Television | TBS | truTV |
| Streaming | HBO Max |
| Game Eats | DoorDash | Grubhub |
The pitching plans will look different this time. Espino will serve as an opener after finishing the regular season with a 4.11 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 15? innings. Cleveland has not committed publicly to exactly how the innings behind him will be divided, leaving manager Stephen Vogt with several options in an all-hands-on-deck game.
Chicago will use a similar approach with left-hander Sean Newcomb, who went 2-5 with a 3.09 ERA during the regular season. Newcomb will also serve as an opener after working two innings in relief during Game 2.
But just as it was entering Game 2, Cleveland’s biggest problem is not on the mound.
The Guardians have managed only seven hits and three runs through the first two games of the series. José Ramírez is 0-for-6 with two walks and three strikeouts, and the offense has consistently failed to give Cleveland’s pitching much room for error.
There is no longer time to wait for the bats to come around.
A Cleveland win would force Game 4 Thursday afternoon in Chicago. A loss ends the Guardians’ season and sends the White Sox to the American League Championship Series.
After 162 regular-season games and an AL Central championship, Cleveland’s season has been reduced to nine innings.
The Guardians need to start hitting now.
