A six-man rotation for the Cleveland Guardians in 2025, but it might not be in 2026.
The Cleveland Guardians' run last September will forever go down as one of the greatest comebacks in MLB history.
At the heart of Cleveland’s come-from-behind efforts to win the American League Central was the team’s risk to go with a six-man rotation, which ultimately led to one of the most dominant stretches by a pitching staff in franchise history.
With the roster set to expand on Tuesday, is this strategy something that the Guardians are planning on doing again?
Manager Stephen Vogt said over the weekend that the team has not made a decision about whether a six-man rotation is something they’ll deploy again, but it doesn’t sound like they’re leaning in going in that direction.
“We haven't talked about that yet,” Cleveland’s skipper explained.
“I think we're still looking at our schedule. This is a tough gauntlet coming out, coming into September 1st. So, we haven't talked through six-man or not.”
Aug 23, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt (12) walks to the dugout after a pitching change in the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn ImagesThe difference between this year and last September was that it was “the perfect storm,” considering the variables that went into the decision.
The first factor was the Guardians' schedule during the final month of the regular season. Including a doubleheader, Cleveland played 27 games in 26 days, while multiple pitchers were eclipsing career highs in innings pitched.
Vogt also noted the bullpen was in a very different spot a year ago than it is now. This year, the Guardians may value an extra reliever instead of an extra arm in the rotation.
“The schedule really doesn't set up for it like it did last year,” Vogt continued. “It worked out with the personnel. Um, and it worked out with where our bullpen was and I think it was a perfect storm last year why we were able to do it.”
Vogt did point out, though, that if the Guardians did want to go in this direction, they have the arms to do it. Of course, the current rotation consists of Gavin Williams, Parker Messick, Tanner Bibee, Foster Griffin, and Joey Cantillo.
Logan Allen is on the big-league roster, and Vogt said he’s stretched out enough where the team would feel comfortable having him start. Slade Cecconi is nearing his return from the injured list.
Then, at the Minor League level, Vogt noted that Austin Peterson and Yorman Gomez are still options for Cleveland as well.
Nothing is off the table, and anything can still happen, but, based on Vogt’s comments, it doesn’t appear that a six-man rotation is something that will benefit the 2026 team.
