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Cleveland Guardians pitcher Gavin Williams will start ALCS Game 4 vs. New York Yankees
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- Cleveland Guardians pitcher Gavin Williams will start ALCS Game 4 vs. New York Yankees
CLEVELAND — Guardians pitcher Gavin Williams will start Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Friday night against the New York Yankees .
With the Guardians facing a 2-0 series deficit , manager Stephen Vogt revealed the decision involving Williams on Thursday afternoon before Game 3 at Progressive Field .
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"We need a starter for Game 4, and Gavin's ready to go," Vogt said. "He's been good for us all year. We're excited to give him the ball."
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Guardians starting pitcher Gavin Williams (32) delivers to the plate in the first inning at Dodger Stadium, Sept. 7, 2024, in Los Angeles.
Williams, 25, will make his MLB playoffs 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 learned Thursday afternoon he would start. He was one of Cleveland's several options. The Yankees will start pitcher Luis Gil, who will also make his postseason debut in Game 4. First pitch is scheduled for 8:08 p.m. Friday in Cleveland.
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"I'm grateful," Williams said. "It's an exciting time. Not many people get this opportunity, and for them to trust me to give me the ball for Game 4, it's pretty special."
Sep 12, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Gavin Williams (32) catches a ball in the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
Williams battled right elbow issues and went 3-10 in 16 starts during the 2024 regular season. He posted a 4.86 ERA, allowing 41 earned runs, 72 hits and 32 walks and striking out 79 in 76 innings.
"It was a roller coaster," Williams said. "It started off the way I didn't want it to. I wasn't healthy, so I was on the IL for a couple months and came back. And it was up and down, but can't really look at that. It's a new season for me right now."
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Williams pitched once against the Yankees this season. On Aug. 22, he allowed three runs and four hits and struck out five in 4⅓ innings of work. The Guardians lost 6-0 in the Bronx.
More Guardians playoff coverage: ALCS Game 3 updates between the Cleveland Guardians and New York Yankees
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Guardians' Gavin Williams to start ALCS Game 4 vs Yankees
