MLB division series: How Guardians can get even, plus Game 4 lineups

The Cleveland Guardians rode a four-run third inning to victory over the Chicago White Sox in Game 3, staving off elimination in the American League Division Series. Now Cleveland faces a must-win Game 4 on Thursday, with a chance to force a decisive Game 5 back in Cleveland. Chicago leads the series 2-1 and can advance to face the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL Championship Series by finishing the job in front of its home crowd.

The Guardians' path runs through a strong start from Parker Messick. He was just OK in Game 1, lasting only 4⅓ innings against the White Sox, and Cleveland will likely need more from him after using seven pitchers in Game 3, including closer Cade Smith for two innings. Veteran slugger Jose Ramirez also needs another standout game; he was fantastic in Wednesday's win, and he and Messick can force a Game 5 on their own.

Analysts note that Cleveland is in a position that is good, though not comfortable, one loss away from elimination. The Guardians are unlikely to repeat Game 3's formula of 19 pitcher strikeouts and 10 batter walks, but a milder version of that approach should still work. The White Sox have been resilient this season, so Cleveland will want to strike early and keep the momentum going.

If the Guardians can jump on Chicago early, their hitters can stay patient and their pitchers can attack a potentially anxious White Sox lineup, much as they did Wednesday. Game 4 starts at 8 p.m. ET in Chicago, with starting pitchers Messick and Hagen Smith.

克利夫兰守护者在第三场凭借第三局的四分攻势战胜芝加哥白袜，在美国联盟division系列赛中避免了被淘汰。如今，守护者在周四的第四场比赛中必须取胜，才有机会迫使决胜的第五场回到克利夫兰进行。白袜以2比1领先，若能在主场观众面前完成比赛，即可晋级美国联盟冠军赛，对阵坦帕湾光芒。

守护者的希望在于帕克·梅西克能有一个出色的首发。他在第一场对阵白袜时表现一般，只投了4又三分之一局。第三场比赛中，守护者动用了七名投手，包括终结者凯德·史密斯投了两局，因此在第四场他们很可能需要梅西克投得更好。资深重炮手何塞·拉米雷斯也需要再打出一场出色的比赛；他在周三的胜利中表现出色，他和梅西克可以独自迫使第五场比赛的到来。

分析人士指出，克利夫兰的处境尚可，但并不轻松，距离淘汰只差一场失利。守护者不太可能重复第三场的模式，即投手送出19次三振、打者获得10次保送，但稍温和的版本依然有效。白袜本赛季展现了顽强的韧性，因此克利夫兰希望尽早破局，保持势头。

如果守护者能尽早压制白袜，他们的打者可以保持耐心，投手也能向可能紧张的白袜打线发起进攻，就像周三那样。第四场比赛于美国东部时间晚上8点在芝加哥开始，首发投手为梅西克和哈根·史密斯。