The Cleveland Guardians are taking a major gamble with their pitching plan for ALCS Game 6. With the season on the line and the Tampa Bay Rays holding a 3-2 series lead, Cleveland will use a bullpen game rather than turn to Gavin Williams on short rest.
Manager Stephen Vogt confirmed that Williams is “not an option” for Monday’s game, leaving the Guardians to find another way to keep their season alive.
Gavin Williams being saved for potential Game 7
Williams was originally positioned to be one of Cleveland’s most important weapons during the final stages of the ALCS. However, the Guardians have decided against asking their right-hander to pitch on short rest in a potential elimination game.
Vogt made the decision clear following Cleveland’s Game 5 loss, saying Williams is not an option to start Game 6. Instead, the Guardians are keeping him lined up for a potential Game 7, when he would be able to pitch on regular rest. Guardians Nation
That decision carries plenty of risk because Cleveland does not have another game to waste. The Guardians trail the Rays 3-2 after Tampa Bay won Game 5, 3-1, behind seven strong innings from Drew Rasmussen. The Rays are now one victory away from advancing to the World Series.
Williams has also been one of Cleveland’s best postseason pitchers. Earlier in October, he delivered an 11-strikeout performance against the White Sox in the ALDS, and the Guardians have repeatedly shown how much they trust him in high-pressure situations.
Guardians will rely on their bullpen to force Game 7
The decision means Cleveland will need several pitchers to contribute in Game 6 rather than asking one starter to carry the game. The Guardians already used bullpen games strategically earlier in the postseason, including during the ALCS when Shawn Armstrong started Game 4 after Vogt decided to preserve his other starters for later in the series.
The challenge is that Cleveland’s bullpen has already endured a heavy postseason workload. Cade Smith and Hunter Gaddis have each appeared seven times this postseason, while Erik Sabrowski has pitched in six games. With Game 7 scheduled for Tuesday if necessary, Vogt must balance winning Monday with preserving enough pitching for another elimination game.
That makes Game 6 particularly fascinating. Cleveland cannot afford to think too far ahead, but the Guardians clearly believe having Williams available on normal rest for a potential Game 7 gives them their best chance to win the series.
First, however, they have to get there.
The Guardians will need their bullpen to keep the game close and their offense to provide enough support against Tampa Bay. If Cleveland can survive Game 6, Williams would then be positioned to take the mound with the season and a trip to the World Series hanging in the balance.
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