Parker Messick to start Game 4 vs. White Sox

Candelario surprisingly cracked the Angels’ Opening Day roster in 2026, but was designated for assignment in early April after starting out 2-for-18 (.111) in his first seven games. He went on to have a solid season at Triple-A Salt Lake though, slashing .281/.377/.509 with 15 homers and 56 RBI in 387 plate appearances.

The 29-year-old right-hander made 17 forgettable appearances at the MLB level for the Nationals during the 2026 campaign, compiling a 9.33 ERA, 2.18 WHIP and an 11/13 K/BB ratio over 18 1/3 innings of work. He’s now free to start peddling his wares on the open market.

The 31-year-old right-hander will get a head start on free agency. Lawrence had a disastrous 2026 season at the MLB level, registering a 7.34 ERA, 1.95 WHIP and a 43/28 K/BB ratio over 34 1/3 innings in 37 appearances between the Pirates, Twins and Nationals. It’s difficult to envision him landing anything other than a minor league deal with an invitation to big league camp.

With their season on the line once again on Thursday, the Guardians will do anything necessary to survive — which includes using their ace out of the bullpen if they have to. Williams threw 98 pitches while striking out 11 batters over five innings in Game 2 on Monday. In a best-case scenario, the Guardians would love to save him for a decisive fifth game back in Cleveland, but that requires a win on Thursday to get there first and they may not have that luxury.

The 39-year-old impending free agent told Jon Heyman of the New York Post, “I love competing” when asked about his future. It remains to be seen if he’ll be able to find an opportunity that fits what he’s looking for. That free agent search could be made even more complicated by MLB’s labor dispute. Goldschmidt slashed a solid .252/.313/.452 with 18 homers and 52 RBI over 380 plate appearances for the Yankees in 2026 while doing most of his damage against left-handed pitching.

The Guardians were able to stave off elimination with a victory in Game 3 on Wednesday and they’ll run back an almost identical lineup as they try to do the same in Game 4. The only change will be Hedges catching instead of Patrick Bailey. Here’s the full lineup for the Guardians in a must-win spot against Hagen Smith and company on Thursday evening in Chicago: Steven Kwan (CF), Jose Ramirez (3B), Chase DeLauter (RF), Jo Adell (DH), Nathaniel Lowe (1B), Angel Martinez (LF), Travis Bazzana (2B), Hedges (C) and Brayan Rocchio (SS).

With left-hander Parker Messick taking the ball for the Guardians, Antonacci will begin this one on the bench for the White Sox. Fellow left-handed hitters Andrew Benintendi and Tristan Peters will also take a seat for the Southsiders. Here’s how Will Venable’s club will line up as they look to punch their ticket to the ALCS on Thursday: Chase Meidroth (2B), Randal Grichuk (LF), Miguel Vargas (3B), Munetaka Murakami (1B), Tommy Pham (DH), Brenton Doyle (CF), Kyle Teel (C), Braden Montgomery (RF) and Colson Montgomery (SS).

Also coming along with that would be the expansion of the Division Series from five to seven games, and the ability for high seeds to pick their opponents in the Wild Card and Division Series rounds.

Mahle was a tremendous deadline acquisition for the Braves this year, pitching to a 1.99 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 48/9 K/BB ratio in 54 1/3 innings after the trade. He also allowed just three runs (two earned) on nine hits in 13 1/3 playoff innings while posting a 10/2 K/BB ratio. Increased reliance on his splitter and throwing more fastballs up in the zone were crucial to his success, so hopefully any team he signs with would try to replicate that.

Sato is just the third NPB hitter to win a Triple Crown this century, with Munetaka Murakami winning the most recent won in 2022. The 27-year-old Sato hit .308/.385/.613 in 142 games with 39 home runs, 106 RBI, and eight steals. Sato is a potential target of MLB teams this offseason, pending what happens with labor negotiations, and Jon Heyman had reported in September that the Mets, Yankees, Dodgers, and Phillies had all already been linked to the third baseman. Many people believe his MLB future, like Murakami, will be at first base, but he also has some experience in the corner outfield as well. Sato went 3-for-10 in this year’s World Baseball Classic with a double, three walks, and three batted balls hit over 100 mph.