Cleveland Guardians pitcher Gavin Williams will start in ALCS Game 4 against the New York Yankees

CLEVELAND – Guardians pitcher Gavin Williams will start Game 4 of the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees on Friday night.

With the Guardians facing a 2-0 series deficit, manager Stephen Vogt announced the decision regarding Williams on Thursday afternoon before Game 3 at Progressive Field.

“We need a starter for Game 4, and Gavin is ready to go,” Vogt said. “He’s been good for us all year. We’re happy to give him the ball.”

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Williams, 25, will make his MLB playoff debut. He had been in the bullpen this postseason without appearing in any games during the AL Division Series, a 3-2 Cleveland win over the Detroit Tigers or either of the first two ALCS games in New York.

Williams said he found out Thursday afternoon that he would be starting. He was one of several options for Cleveland. The Yankees will start pitcher Luis Gil, who will also make his postseason debut in Game 4. First pitch is scheduled for Friday at 8:08 p.m. in Cleveland.

“I’m grateful,” Williams said. “It's an exciting time. Not many people get that opportunity, and for them to trust me to give me the ball for Game 4 is pretty special.”

Williams battled right elbow issues and went 3-10 in 16 starts during the 2024 regular season. He posted a 4.86 ERA, allowed 41 earned runs, 72 hits and 32 walks, and had 79 strikeouts in 76 innings.

“It’s been a roller coaster ride,” Williams said. “It started the way I didn’t want it to. I wasn't healthy so I was on the IL for a few months and came back. And it's been up and down, but I can't really look at it. “It's a new season for me right now.

Williams threw one pitch against the Yankees this season. On August 22, he allowed three runs and four hits, striking out five in 4⅓ innings. The Guardians lost 6-0 in the Bronx.

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Nate Ulrich can be reached at [email protected]. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.

This article originally appeared in the Akron Beacon Journal: Guardians' Gavin Williams starts ALCS Game 4 against the Yankees