# White Sox-Guardians ALDS Pitching Matchups

> Guardians and White Sox set ALDS pitching plans after Wild Card sweep.
- Title: White Sox-Guardians ALDS Pitching Matchups · Mlb | Shortify
- Summary: Guardians and White Sox set ALDS pitching plans after Wild Card sweep. The Guardians and White Sox prepare for their first-ever playoff matchup with pitching…
- Keywords: white sox, guardians, al division series, pitching matchups, mlb, al wild card series, cleveland, chicago, sports, White, Sox-Guardians, ALDS
- Source: Mlb — https://mlb.com/news/white-sox-guardians-pitching-matchups-for-2026-alds
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: white sox, guardians, al division series, pitching matchups, mlb, al wild card series, cleveland, chicago, sports
## ALDS Game 3 Setup
Cleveland and Chicago meet for their first-ever playoff matchup after the Guardians earned a first-round bye.
## Guardians Game 1 Pitcher
Parker Messick, a 25-year-old lefty with a 2.56 ERA in 186 1/3 innings, starts Game 1.
## Guardians Game 2 Pitcher
Gavin Williams, with 248 strikeouts in 184 1/3 innings, faces the White Sox in Game 2.
## Guardians Game 3 Option
Daniel Espino could start as opener, with manager Stephen Vogt noting they need to see Games 1 and 2 first.
## White Sox Game 1 Pitcher
Hagen Smith, a rookie southpaw, starts Game 1 after sweeping the Astros in the Wild Card Series.
## White Sox Game 2 Pitcher
Anthony Kay opens, followed by Sean Burke, who has struck out eight in four innings against the Astros.
## White Sox Game 3 Option
Anthony Kay might return for Game 3 after a rest day, with multiple pitchers available.
## Key takeaway

The Guardians and White Sox prepare for their first-ever playoff matchup with pitching matchups set for ALDS Game 3.