Guardians’ offensive issues show up in ALDS Game 1 vs White Sox

CLEVELAND — The No. 1 concern for the Guardians through most of the summer saw its shadow again on Oct. 3. And, quickly, combatting that problem is suddenly the biggest obstacle between a trip to the ALCS or an early exit from the 2026 playoffs.

The Guardians lost 3-0 to the White Sox in Game 1 of the ALDS at Progressive Field. Game 2, now even more paramount for Cleveland, is set for 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5.

The Guardians have until then to figure out how to counter the White Sox’s chaotic pitching plan built on shorter starts, openers, and/or a whole lot of pitchers being thrown at them.

Chicago improved to 3-0 in the postseason, largely because of a strategy built on a high volume of pitchers entering and exiting games, never allowing opposing lineups to get comfortable.

“Yeah, I mean, I was definitely put in a blender today for sure,” said Guardians outfielder Jo Adell, who in his first postseason game went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts from the No. 4 spot in the order. “It’s difficult. You’re getting different looks out there to make it tough, and we’ve got adjust and find a way to do it.”

Guardians-White Sox ALDS an AL Central rivalry series

It’s somewhat similar to the Tigers’ strategy of “pitching chaos” that largely involved either Tarik Skubal starts or bullpen games. The White Sox have a hybrid of it that often involves slightly longer openers and, of course, no Skubal.

In Game 1, left-handed pitcher Hagen Smith threw 2⅔ innings to begin the game. He walked three, but he also struck out four and didn’t allow a hit. Grant Taylor finished the game, pitching four superb innings that included six strikeouts, two hits and zero walks.

Between them, Chicago deployed three relievers to piece together the middle 2⅓ innings.

The strategy relies on not only a number of talented relievers out of the bullpen, but also a healthy dose of left-handed hitters for a left-handed-heavy lineup.

“Yeah, it’s designed to shut us down for sure, but I think in a sense today, we shut ourselves down, too,” said Nate Lowe, who went 1-for-2 with a double and a walk after pinch-hitting for David Fry, who started the game. “I don’t think our swing decisions were great. We lost a lot of count leverage. But it’s a simple area for us to tighten up on, whether there’s a right-handed or left-handed pitcher out there.”

Guardians-White Sox ALDS Game 2 matchup

White Sox manager Will Venable told reporters pitcher Sean Burke will play a role in Game 2, but an actual starter remains to be determined. Burke pitched four innings in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series in Houston.

It remains to be seen, but it wouldn’t be out of the question that no Guardians hitter will face the same pitcher three times in a row this entire series. Chicago used five pitchers in Game 1, and it likely would have been six had Taylor not looked so in control to finish the final four innings. A few Cleveland hitters said they were surprised he was kept in the game that long.

Now with a 1-0 series lead, the schedule is set up nicely for the White Sox. There are off days before and after Game 2, which will allow both teams to be ultra aggressive with their pitching change decisions. It benefits both clubs, but arguably more for the White Sox, who know the off day before Game 3 affords them more options.

The Guardians lineup was the top issue for most of the season. Cleveland finally began to heat up in August and September, posting their two best months by OPS to finish the year. It had them set up well entering the ALDS, which also came with five days of rest.

That issue reared its ugly head in Game 1. And now, with the extra off days, the White Sox are positioned well heading into Game 2.

And though the Guardians did load the bases twice, most of that was because of Chicago pitchers momentarily struggling to throw strikes. A few walks weren’t enough to trump the fact the Guardians didn’t have a lead-off man on base until the seventh inning. They were forced to rely on a two-out hit that never came.

“It’s always hard to get a hit,” Austin Hedges said. “Big-league pitchers are really, really good and obviously they got a lot of good ones over there, but it’s no harder or easier facing another big leaguer multiple times. We created the opportunities, and we just didn’t get the big hit.”

If the Guardians are to even the series before it heads to Chicago, they’ll have to find it, just as they did toward the end of the regular season. Otherwise, they’ll run out of time rather quickly.

Ryan Lewis covers the Guardians for the Beacon Journal. He can be reached at rlewis1@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Guardians’ offensive issues show up in ALDS Game 1 vs White Sox

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