The Cleveland Guardians return to Progressive Field on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, for a 1:10 PM ET regular-season matchup against the Chicago White Sox. Parker Messick gets the ball for Cleveland opposite Chicago's Anthony Kay. With the season winding into its final weeks, every game carries real weight in the standings, and a home date against a division rival is exactly the kind of opportunity the Guardians need to seize. Catch the action on ESPN or the ESPN App, or tune in locally on WTAM 1100 and the Guardians Radio Network.

Probable Pitchers: Parker Messick vs. Anthony Kay

Parker Messick draws the start for the Guardians. The left-hander has been working his way through the Cleveland rotation and gets a home start in front of the Progressive Field crowd. This is a chance for Messick to log a quality outing and keep the Guardians in position heading into the final stretch of the regular season.

Opposing him is Anthony Kay for the White Sox. Kay is a veteran arm who gives Chicago an experienced option to send to the mound in a divisional road game. The Guardians lineup will look to put together solid at-bats and work counts early against him.

Cleveland Guardians Starting Lineup

• 1. Steven Kwan, LF
• 2. José Ramírez, 3B
• 3. Jo Adell, RF
• 4. Travis Bazzana, DH
• 5. David Fry, 1B
• 6. Angel Genao, 2B
• 7. Austin Hedges, C
• 8. Petey Halpin, CF
• 9. Brayan Rocchio, SS

Keys to Watch on Wednesday

José Ramírez Driving the Offense

Batting second, José Ramírez is the engine of this Cleveland lineup. Getting Ramírez into run-scoring situations early — and keeping him there — is central to how the Guardians generate offense. If Kwan reaches base ahead of him, this offense can get rolling in a hurry.

Jo Adell and Travis Bazzana in the Heart of the Order

Adell hits third and Bazzana slots in at cleanup. That is a potent combination in the middle of the order. The Guardians need production from both of them against Kay, particularly with runners on base. Bazzana in the DH role gives Cleveland a bat in the lineup without defensive obligations, and he will need to deliver in key spots.

Messick Establishing Control Early

For Messick, the priority is keeping the White Sox off the bases and getting through innings efficiently. A strong first three frames from the left-hander would let the Cleveland bullpen work from a position of comfort rather than scrambling to preserve a lead or erase a deficit.

Petey Halpin and Brayan Rocchio Setting the Table from the Bottom

The bottom of this order — Halpin at eight and Rocchio at nine — has a real opportunity to cycle the lineup back to Kwan and Ramírez at the top. If those two get on base and make Kay work deep into counts, they become a genuine asset for Cleveland's run production.

Prediction

This is a favorable matchup on paper for Cleveland at home. The Guardians have a lineup with real depth from top to bottom, and Messick at Progressive Field gives them a reasonable platform to win. The White Sox are not a team Cleveland should take lightly, but the home-field edge and the quality of the Guardians' lineup makes this one tilt in Cleveland's favor. Guardians win, 5-2.