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Guardians must turn on power, lean on stars in Game 3

The Cleveland Guardians face a critical Game 3 against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field, where a win would keep their postseason hopes alive. After struggling offensively in the first two games—posting just three runs, 21 strikeouts, and eight walks—the Guardians must rely on their lineup to step up, particularly leadoff hitter Steven Kwan.

Kwan’s resurgence since mid-August, when he led MLB in batting average (.353) after the All-Star break, has been a key factor in Cleveland’s improved scoring, as the team ranked sixth in runs (245) and ninth in OPS (.737) over the final two months of the regular season. His ability to set the table in the early innings could be decisive, as it was in Game 2 when his leadoff single sparked a two-run first inning for Cleveland.

The Guardians’ power hitters, including José Ramírez, Angel Martínez, and trade-deadline acquisition Jo Adell, will need to deliver in a series where long balls have been pivotal. Adell, who hit 23 home runs across two teams this season, nearly tied the game in Game 2 with a potential two-run homer that fell just short.

Meanwhile, the White Sox’s unorthodox pitching strategy—featuring starting pitchers working multiple innings in relief—will test Cleveland’s bench and bullpen, with no clear plan yet announced for who will follow starter José Espino. Manager Stephen Vogt has kept the focus narrow, emphasizing that the Guardians must simply win Game 3 to regain control of the series.

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