Hagen Smith to Start ALDS Game 1 for White Sox Against Guardians

Rookie reliever Hagen Smith will start Game 1 of the ALDS on Saturday, facing Cleveland rookie Parker Messick at Progressive Field.

Rookie reliever Hagen Smith will start for the Chicago White Sox in Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians this Saturday. The 23-year-old left-hander posted a 3-3 record with a 1.29 ERA and 41 strikeouts across 28 innings during the regular season. This appearance follows his surprise start in the AL Wild Card Series against Houston, where he threw three scoreless innings, surrendered two hits, and recorded two strikeouts.

ESPN reports that the matchup at Progressive Field will feature two rookie left-handed pitchers, as Cleveland previously named Parker Messick their Game 1 starter. The 25-year-old Messick finished the season 12-9 over 32 starts, including a 2.81 ERA and a 2-1 record in five appearances against Chicago. While the Guardians have slated right-hander Gavin Williams for Game 2, the White Sox have not yet announced an opposing starter for that contest.

Chicago won the season series against their AL Central rivals 7-6, an improvement from the previous year when Cleveland took 11 of 13 meetings. Smith’s nod for the series opener marks only his third start of the season, having made 18 total appearances for the White Sox.