Parker Messick wraps up stellar rookie campaign

The Guardians won’t play again until Saturday, so Messick will throw a few innings in order to stay fresh. He’ll then start Game 1 or 2 of the ALDS against the Astros, Rangers or White Sox.

Messick left with a 2-1 lead, but Hunter Gaddis gave up a homer in the eighth to tie the game before the Guardians responded in the ninth. The no-decision keeps Messick 12-9 with a 2.55 ERA. He could pitch again Sunday, but if the Guardians clinch before then, he’ll almost certainly be held back for the Wild Card series.

Messick struck out eight and didn’t walk anyone in the quality start. He was scoreless until the fifth, when Tommy Pham connected for a three-run homer, but those were the only runs Messick allowed. The left-hander leads rookie pitchers with 4.5 fWAR this season, and his 2.57 ERA ranks sixth among all qualified starters. He lines up for a road start at Fenway Park next time out.

While not his sharpest, Messick turned in yet another strong start here. He couldn’t command his fastball well at all, consistently missing the edges he usually hits, falling behind in the count, and then needing to come in the middle of the plate with it. Still, he stole just enough strikes with his slider and changeup to keep chugging along and giving his team a chance to win. He’s still squarely in the American League Rookie of the Year race with a 2.51 ERA through 172 1/3 innings this season and is set to face the reeling White Sox at home next time out.

The 25-year-old southpaw racked up 12 strikeouts on the night while issuing a pair of walks. All of the damage done against him came from Riley Greene, who smacked a pair of solo home runs and also added an RBI single. Messick got 19 whiffs on 103 pitches on the night, registering an elite CSW of 37 percent. Now 11-9 on the season, he’ll carry a 2.53 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and a 173/45 K/BB ratio (167 innings) into Friday’s matchup against the Twins in Minneapolis.

Messick struck out five and walked two, lowering his ERA to 2.46. He gave up a first-inning run but quickly settled down as Cleveland’s offense exploded in the middle innings. Messick has had a phenomenal rookie season. He easily leads all rookie pitchers in fWAR and has the third-lowest ERA among American League starters. His fWAR is already in the top 10 for rookie arms dating back to 2000, and there’s a meaningful chance he finishes in the top three. Spencer Strider in 2022 and Yu Darvish in 2012 are at the top of that leaderboard.

Messick gave up three hits, walked one and struck out four. He improved to 10-8 with the win. Messick’s only run allowed came in the fourth inning, when the Angels were able to string three singles together and momentarily tie the game 1-1. He was 1-3 over his last six starts entering play Monday. Messick has a 2.50 ERA. He’s lined up to face the Royals at home on Sunday.

Messick allowed six hits without walking anyone but took a tough-luck loss. His 10 punchouts tied his career high, and the outing marked a full calendar year since his big-league debut on August 20, 2025. He entered Wednesday’s start with the sixth-lowest ERA among qualified starters during that span. He’ll aim to keep pitching like one of the best arms in the American League next time out in a favorable matchup versus the Angels.

Messick was outdueled by Keider Montero. He’s actually a bit lucky to leave with this line after allowing a double, hitting Ben Malgeri with a pitch, and walking Gleyber Torres to set up a bases-loaded, no-out situation in the third. He only allowed one run to score there, but allowed a solo homer to Eduardo Valencia in the sixth as well. Messick was getting plenty of whiffs, with 11-of-31 four-seamers and changeups swung at and missed. He’ll draw a beautiful matchup against the Giants next week.

After getting through the first inning without any trouble, Messick allowed a solo homer to Braden Montgomery in the bottom of the second inning, cutting the Guardians’ lead to 2-1. Messick would allow his second earned run in the sixth inning via a solo homer by Munetaka Murakami, but would return to pitch a scoreless seventh inning before being pulled. Messick continues to give opposing offenses fits, as he has now allowed two earned runs or fewer in his last seven starts and boasts an impressive 2.34 ERA over that span along with a 1.02 WHIP. He’ll look to continue this hot run in his next start, which is scheduled for Thursday on the road against the Tigers.