Can you believe we get another closeout game this early in the American League Division Series? Baseball always brings the heat in the postseason, and this one has been no different. The Guardians are heading to Chicago to face the White Sox, and they look to keep their season alive for at least one more game.
The Cleveland Guardians won the American League Central again this season, but their backs are against the wall. They lose one more game, and they will be out of the playoffs. The Guardians won the division last year and were bounced by the Wild Card-winning Tigers. After losing both games in Cleveland, they are in danger of it happening once again.
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Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges looks to receive the throw to the plate as Chicago White Sox’s Kyle Teel runs home to score on an RBI double from Colson Montgomery during the seventh inning in Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
I’m not quite sure why the Guardians didn’t have Foster Griffin make a start for them in either of the first two games, but he is likely to go today either as a starter or reliever. He finished the season 21st in ERA with a 3.60 mark, and 27th in WHIP at 1.21. He faced the White Sox twice this season. With the Nationals, he went seven scoreless innings, allowing just two hits. That game happened at Guaranteed Rate Field.
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The Chicago White Sox are on the verge of winning their second-straight postseason series. Keep in mind this is a team that has lost over 300 games in the past three seasons. Just getting here is a good accomplishment for the team. It isn’t enough, and blowing a 2-0 lead would still be a shortcoming or disappointment. Getting to the American League Championship Series would be awesome.
Chicago White Sox’s Munetaka Murakami reacts after hitting a two-run home run against the Cleveland Guardians during the fourth inning in Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
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In order to take Game 3, the White Sox are uncertain about their starter. Rumor has it that they will start Hagen Smith or someone else in what will ultimately be a bullpen game. The team really doesn’t have a reliable starter outside of Sean Burke or maybe Anthony Kay. Even Kay has been used more as an opener than anything, though. It will be interesting to see if Davis Martin makes any appearance in this game. He carried them for much of the first half of the season.
Guaranteed Rate Field, formerly U.S. Cellular Field and home of the Chicago White Sox, is shown in Chicago, Ill., on Nov. 5, 2016. (Getty Images)
The White Sox might be able to win this game just based on the crowd energy alone. Chicago is ready to explode because this team has been so fun to watch. They are playing loose, confident, and winning against all expectations and odds.
Unfortunately, I think the Guardians will win this one with their combination of arms. It just feels like Cleveland won’t go down without a fight. I also like the over 7.5 in this one because neither team seems to have that shut-down arm that most other teams have.
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