Guardians Bats Finally Came Up Clutch to Force Game 4 in ALDS

The Cleveland Guardians offense sputtered in the first two games of the ALDS, going scoreless in Game 1 and mustering just three runs in Game 2. 

Facing elimination, Cleveland needed a spark from their offense, and they got it in Game 3, scoring nine runs to stay alive in the postseason. In the regular season, the Guardians struggled to bring runs home with two outs, scoring 232 runs in that situation, the second-fewest in baseball.

Cleveland went against that trend in Game 3, scoring five of their runs with two outs. Trade deadline acquisition Jo Adell gave the Guardians the lead in the third when he hit a triple down the right-field line, clearing the bases.

Star third baseman Jose Ramírez added insurance runs in the eighth with a two-run triple to left. Cleveland will need Adell, Ramírez, and the lineup to produce in Game 4 against Hagen Smith and the Chicago White Sox pitching staff to force a Game 5.

The Guardians haven't had a ton of success against Smith, as they hit .105/.320/.158 with eight strikeouts in 19 plate appearances against him in the regular season. Cleveland was able to get on base against him, as they walked six times.

In the postseason, they have seen Smith twice. In Game 1, Smith went 2.2 innings, did not allow a hit, and struck out four. The Guardians lineup had more success against him in Game 3, as he went 0.2 innings, allowing a triple to Adell, who scored three runs (only one earned run was credited to Smith).

Cleveland will need to remain in a rhythm and get Smith out of the game early to put pressure on the rest of Chicago's bullpen.

The Guardians will have Parker Messick on the mound in Game 4, which gives them a great chance of forcing a Game 5 if the offense shows up. Messick was solid in Game 1 against Chicago, going 4.1 innings, allowing four hits and two earned runs while striking out six.

Messick had a great season for Cleveland, as he was an All-Star, posting a 2.56 ERA with 193 strikeouts and a 1.063 WHIP. The 25-year-old will look to have his strongest start of the season in an elimination game.

The Guardians have given themselves a chance to get back in the series, but it all hinges on their bats showing up for a second straight day.