The Cleveland Guardians named right-hander Daniel Espino their starter for Game 3 of the American League Division Series against the Chicago White Sox, turning to the rookie as an opener in a must-win contest.
Cleveland trails the best-of-five series 2-0 after losses at Progressive Field. The White Sox won Game 1 by a 3-0 score on Saturday and took Game 2 by a 4-3 margin on Monday. A Chicago victory on Wednesday would send the White Sox to the AL Championship Series for the first time since 2005.
First pitch is set for 4 p.m. ET at Rate Field. The game will air on TBS, truTV and HBO Max, with Spanish-language coverage on UniMas.
Espino, 25, posted a 4.11 ERA across 15 1/3 innings in 14 regular-season appearances, three of them starts. He struck out 25 and walked seven. He has not thrown more than two innings in any major league outing this year.
The Panama native made his postseason debut in Game 1, working two-thirds of a scoreless inning. He debuted in the majors on June 17 after missing the bulk of four seasons because of two right shoulder surgeries. He made only five minor league appearances from 2022 through 2025.
“I’m just excited, stoked about the opportunity that I have to set the tone as the opener, and just go out there and have fun,” Espino said. “We can’t sugarcoat that we’re in the position that we are right now. But if we had been ahead in the series, it would be the same situation for me personally, going out there and doing my job.”
Manager Stephen Vogt offered no details on how long Espino will pitch or who will follow him. Options for bulk innings include Joey Cantillo, Tanner Bibee and Foster Griffin. The bullpen is rested after Tuesday’s off day.
“Daniel is going to start,” Vogt said. “We have three very good length options along with our very good bullpen that’s been great all year. We don’t know what we’re going to do after Daniel. We’ll have to let the game play out.”
Espino opened three September games in front of Cantillo. In those four innings he allowed three runs, all of them on Sept. 18 against the Athletics. Cantillo followed with 15 scoreless innings, permitting four hits and four walks while striking out 17.
The Guardians won the AL Central by one game over the White Sox despite losing the season series 7-6. That division title initially gave Cleveland home-field advantage, which the White Sox erased with their two road wins.
Chicago has won all four of its postseason games after claiming the final Wild Card berth. Sean Newcomb is expected to open for the White Sox. He carries a 2.61 ERA in nine appearances against Cleveland this season.
The Guardians scored three runs on seven hits across the first two games. Jose Ramirez is 0-for-6 with two walks. Angel Martinez is 0-for-8.
“You bet on the person in times like this, and obviously we’ve seen his stuff,” Vogt said of Espino. “But what Daniel’s been through, there’s nothing that’s going to rattle him or shake him. We’re really excited for Daniel to be getting the ball tomorrow.”
Espino was ranked the No. 4 right-handed pitching prospect by MLB Pipeline in 2023 before the surgeries interrupted his path. His fastball has reached triple digits.
“You just go out there and believe in your abilities and be confident in the work that you’ve put in,” Espino said. “I can tell you, I’m prepared for this moment.”
Game 4, if necessary, is scheduled for Thursday at 5 p.m. ET in Chicago. Game 5 would return to Cleveland on Saturday.
