The Cleveland Guardians were shut out on three hits in their Game 1 to the Chicago White Sox in the ALDS.
There are no secrets between the Cleveland Guardians and the Chicago White Sox. Both manager Stephen Vogt and Will Venable said as much leading up to the American League Division Series between the two division rivals.
Game 1 of the ALDS proved it as the Guardians and White Sox once again played a tightly contested contest, ending with Chicago taking a 1-0 lead in the series with a 3-0 victory on Saturday afternoon.
One narrative around this Guardians lineup all year was how hot and cold they were, especially when they struggled to produce with runners in scoring position.
That same issue in Cleveland’s ALDS Game 1 loss to Chicago. Cleveland had opportunities not only to score but to blow the game wide open, and it just couldn’t convert on any of them.
The Guardians’ first big opportunity came in the bottom of the third inning when they loaded the bases after Hagen Smith walked three straight batters. The White Sox opener was perfect through the first two innings of the game, but couldn’t find the zone the second time through Cleveland’s lineup.
With Chase DeLauter at the plate and new pitcher Brayn Hudson on the mound with two outs, the Guardians outfielder lined out to right field, keeping the game tied at zero.
Just two batters later in the next frame, Munetaka Murakami blasted a two-run home run to give the White Sox a two-run lead.
This was the one blemish in what was largely a stellar outing for Messick’s first postseason start. He ended up pitching 4.1 innings, issued one walk, allowed two earned runs, and struck out six White Sox hitters.
The Guardians gave the ball to Messick in Game 1 because he consistently gave the team a chance to win the regular season. The rookie did his job in his playoff debut, but the lineup couldn’t come through with run support.
Oct 3, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt (12) walks back to the dugout after making a pitching change during the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox in game one of the ALDS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn ImagesCleveland’s first hit didn’t come until the bottom of the fourth inning, when Travis Bazzana smacked a line drive down the first-base line. This put runners on first and second with two outs. After Austin Hedges walked, Cleveland had the bases loaded for the second time in the game.
Unfortunately, the outcome was the same as the previous inning. Brayan Rocchio lined out to right field, stranding all three runners on base with no runs to show for it.
That was the last time Cleveland had a true scoring threat. They ended up with no hits (0-for-3) with runners in scoring position and left seven runners on base.
The thing is, these struggles shouldn’t have come as any surprise to the Guardians. Struggling to convert with runners at second and third was something the team dealt with all year long.
Cleveland had a .239/.321/.387 slash line with runners in scoring position, and that was even worse with runners in scoring position and two outs, as the team logged a .211/.299/.335 slash line in that situation.
These series are best of five for a reason. That said, if Cleveland’s bats can’t find a way to string some hits together, then the Guardians could be facing elimination before they know it.
