The Cleveland Guardians are still on the outside looking in on the AL Wild Card. Although they came off from getting swept by the Atlanta Braves over the weekend, Cleveland was able to pick up a 3-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks in their series opener.
Right-handed pitcher Gavin Williams continued his streaky month of August while pitching 5.1 scoreless innings, giving up four hits and striking out five.
However, Cleveland will have to put together a successful last month and a half of the regular season in order to solidify a spot in the postseason.
Guardians call up No. 12 prospect, pitcher Parker Messick
On Tuesday, it was announced that the Cleveland Guardians are promoting 24-year-old left-handed pitcher Parker Messick to make his big league debut, according to Guardians Perspective on X. Messick will make his first MLB start on Wednesday for Cleveland’s series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Cleveland #Guardians are promoting 24-year-old LHP prospect Parker Messick from Triple-A Columbus.
Messick will make his pro-debut Wednesday vs the D-Backs.#GuardsBall
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) August 19, 2025
A second-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft out of Florida State, Messick won the ACC pitcher of the year award in 2021. He had the fifth-most strikeouts in the minors last season, with 165 in 133.6 innings.
His success has continued into the 2025 season. Through 20 starts in the minors, Messick has a 5-6 record, 3.47 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 119 strikeouts through 98.2 innings.
MORE: Guardians make multiple pitching moves before Braves series
The Guardians are looking to stay within reach of the AL Central-leading Detroit Tigers and the Boston Red Sox, who hold a three-game lead over Cleveland for the final AL Wild Card spot.
