Gavin Williams gave Cleveland five innings Thursday night, and that was enough to turn Progressive Field into a postseason pressure cooker. The Guardians right-hander struck out nine in a 3-2 Game 3 American League Championship Series victory over the Rays, again showing why October has become his personal stage.
Williams sets the tone in Game 3
- Williams came out throwing with his usual force, reaching 99 mph early and keeping Tampa Bay hitters uncomfortable with a mix of hard fastballs and offspeed pitches.
- The Rays got to him only once in a meaningful way, when Chandler Simpson capitalized on a mistake. Otherwise, Williams controlled the night across five innings.
- His velocity eased during the fifth inning, with his fastball settling nearer 95 mph. Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt elected not to stretch him further after the recent workload the club had placed on him.
- Cade Smith and the Guardians bullpen protected the narrow lead, helping Cleveland close out the 3-2 win and take another major step in the series.
Vogt said Williams had delivered everything the club could have wanted, noting that the one costly pitch did not change the overall quality of the outing. The manager said Cleveland could likely have asked for another inning, but the declining velocity and Williams’ recent usage made the decision straightforward.
That usage has been anything but ordinary for a starter. Williams worked in relief during Game 4 of the ALDS, then took the ball as the starter in Game 5 only two days later. Cleveland has no indication that he is injured. The club is simply handling a pitcher who has been asked to carry an unusual October load.
Williams acknowledged that he could feel the effects a little. He said last week’s assignment was something he had never experienced before, and credited the Guardians for recognizing the change. Whether the next call comes in two days or five, he said, he will be ready for whatever the team needs.
A postseason run built on strikeouts
Williams has piled up 33 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings during the 2026 postseason. His career postseason strikeout rate is now 45.9 percent, the best in Major League history among pitchers with at least 10 playoff innings. Corey Knebel, at 44.6 percent, is next on that list.
Those numbers fit the view from Cleveland’s outfield. Steven Kwan said he could tell early that Williams was headed for one of those dominant nights. Center fielder Petey Halpin watched Rays hitters make the long walk back to the dugout and called Williams “an absolute horse,” praising his ability to attack the zone and put the Guardians in position to win every time out.
Williams has kept his explanation simple. He said he cannot identify one specific reason for his surge, other than refusing to let the moment overwhelm him. His approach is to breathe when necessary and keep his heart rate under control.
That calm has made him Cleveland’s biggest October weapon. José Ramírez and Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero are capable of swinging a series with one at-bat. Williams can change it every time he climbs the mound.
Cleveland balances urgency and caution
The Guardians have been more aggressive with their late-inning arms. Smith and setup man Hunter Gaddis have been positioned to appear in almost every game if needed. But Williams presents a different calculation: Cleveland needs his power now, while also keeping open the possibility that he could start a Game 7 on regular rest.
Rays manager Kevin Cash said Williams and Smith had both been electric throughout the postseason. Cash pointed to Williams’ power fastball and his ability to lean heavily on offspeed pitches, while describing Smith as exceptionally difficult to square up since taking over the closer role.
For an underdog club, this is the formula Cleveland hoped could carry it through October: a starter who can overwhelm a lineup, a closer who can shut the door, and just enough offense to survive the tight games. Williams has been doing more than his share.
Next on the schedule
- ALCS Game 4 is scheduled for Friday at 6 p.m. ET, with coverage on TBS, truTV, UniMas and HBO Max.
- If the Brewers complete a sweep of the Dodgers on Thursday night, the Game 4 start time would shift to 8 p.m. ET.
