The Cleveland Guardians head to Rate Field on Monday, June 22 for a 7:40 PM ET matchup against the Chicago White Sox, with right-hander Gavin Williams getting the ball for Cleveland. It's a division game that carries real weight — wins over the White Sox are table stakes in the AL Central race, and with Williams on the mound, the Guardians have every reason to expect a quality start against a Chicago club that's still very much in the process of rebuilding its roster from the ground up.

Gavin Williams vs. Anthony Kay: Pitching Matchup Preview

Williams has been one of the more intriguing arms in the Cleveland rotation, a power pitcher whose stuff plays up in road environments where he can attack hitters without worrying about protecting a short porch. His ability to miss bats with his fastball-slider combination will be tested against a White Sox lineup that, while thin on star power, can be scrappy in the middle innings when starters lose their edge.

Chicago counters with Anthony Kay, a left-handed veteran who relies more on command and mix than pure velocity. Kay has carved out his role as a back-of-the-rotation innings eater, and the Guardians will need to resist the urge to expand the zone early. The key for Cleveland's lineup is patience — force Kay to work deep counts and make him pay for mistakes over the plate.

Chicago White Sox Starting Lineup

• Sam Antonacci, LF
• Miguel Vargas, 1B
• Kyle Teel, C
• Andrew Benintendi, DH
• Colson Montgomery, 3B
• Chase Meidroth, 2B
• Braden Montgomery, RF
• Tristan Peters, CF
• Luisangel Acuña, SS

Keys to Watch for Cleveland

• Williams through five-plus innings: Cleveland's bullpen is better when it doesn't have to cover more than four frames. If Williams can build on his recent form and push deep into the game, the Guardians' relievers can close it out fresh.
• Exploiting the middle of Chicago's order: Andrew Benintendi at cleanup is the most dangerous bat in this White Sox lineup. The Guardians' pitching staff will need to be smart about how they navigate the three-four-five combination of Teel, Benintendi, and Colson Montgomery.
• Aggressive baserunning: Rate Field's outfield dimensions and a White Sox defense that can be exploited in the gaps make this a night where Cleveland should look to manufacture runs early and not wait for the three-run homer.
• First-inning execution: Kay has historically been more hittable when forced to throw strikes early. Cleveland needs to set the tone in the first and not let him settle in.

Broadcast Information

Cleveland fans can catch the game on Guardians.TV Presented by Progressive or listen on WTAM 1100, WMMS 100.7, or the Guardians Radio Network. Spanish-language coverage is available on 107.9 La Ley.

Prediction

This is a winnable game for Cleveland, and Williams is the reason why. If he comes out with his full arsenal and attacks the strike zone early, the Guardians have the pitching edge and enough offensive flexibility to manufacture a lead and protect it. The White Sox aren't without weapons — Benintendi is always a threat and Colson Montgomery has shown flashes — but Cleveland is the better constructed team right now. Guardians 5, White Sox 2.