Game 1 of the ALDS was a disappointing way for the Cleveland Guardians to kick off the postseason, as they lost to their division rival, the Chicago White Sox.

Here are some of the top storylines to follow as the Guardians look to tie up the series in Game 2.

When Gavin Williams is locked in, he’s one of the best pitchers in baseball. Thankfully for the Guardians, that’s the version they’ve gotten out of their starter for most of the 2026 season.

Williams has been one of the game’s best punchout pitchers this year, with a whiff rate of 32.8 percent and a strikeout rate of 33.2 percent. He has the skill set to carry a team to a win, even in the playoffs.

That said, there have also been some moments throughout the season when Williams has uncharacteristically given up a handful of runs. For example, seven earned runs against the Milwaukee Brewers, five earned runs against the Los Angeles Angels, and most recently, four earned runs against the Kansas City Royals in his final regular-season start.

Williams must start strong and set the tone early if the Guardians want a chance to tie up the series.

One of Cleveland’s keys coming into this series was limiting Chicago’s long ball threat. They didn’t do so on Saturday, as the true difference-maker in Game 1 was Munetaka Murakami’s two-run blast.

Limiting the power in the White Sox’s lineup will be even more critical in Game 2, considering who the Guardians have starting the game.

When Williams has struggled, it’s been because he’s given up a ton of hard contact. He had an opposing average exit velocity of 90.2 mph, which was well below league average. The right-hander also gave up 28 home runs throughout the seaosn.

Once again, keeping Chicago’s bat at bay might be the difference maker in a win or loss for the Guardians.

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how well Williams or any of Cleveland’s pitchers perform if the offense doesn’t show up again in Game 2. The Guardians only mustered three hits in the first nine innings of this series.

Unless Cleveland makes some game plan changes, it could be in line for a similar showing on Monday, given which White Sox arms are scheduled to pitch.

Anthony Kay, who will open on Monday, has dominated the Guardians all year, and it’s a similar story with Sean Burke, who is in line to pitch the bulk innings. Kay owns a 1.35 ERA (3ER/20.0IP), and Burke has a 1.04 ERA (2ER/17.1IP) against Cleveland in 2026.

On paper, generating offense could be another uphill battle for the Guardians in Game 2.