Cleveland Guardians vs Chicago White Sox

Cleveland Guardians at Chicago White Sox (2026-08-08). Gavin Williams vs Anthony Kay at Rate Field.

Starters — Gavin Williams brings a 3.56 ERA and 1.04 WHIP across 139 innings, with dominant swing-and-miss numbers at 11.53 K/9. His control has been solid at 2.53 BB/9, though the 1.36 HR/9 is a point to watch. Over his last three starts, Williams has allowed just 2 earned runs in 19.2 innings, with 33 strikeouts against 2 walks. He has gone 5.2 innings with 0 earned runs and 10 strikeouts, then 7 innings with 2 earned runs and 12 strikeouts, then 7 scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts. His ERA trend is down. Anthony Kay enters with a 4.01 ERA and 1.35 WHIP over 110 innings. He has posted 7.36 K/9, 3.44 BB/9, and 1.15 HR/9, showing more contact management than overpowering stuff. In his last three starts, Kay has allowed 5 earned runs in 16.2 innings, with 14 strikeouts and 4 walks. He most recently worked 6.1 scoreless innings with 3 strikeouts, after allowing 3 earned runs in 5.1 innings with 7 strikeouts, and 2 earned runs in 5 innings with 4 strikeouts. His ERA trend is also down.

Teams — Cleveland has a .681 OPS, .232 batting average, and 467 runs scored, which points to a lighter offensive profile. The Guardians’ pitching staff has been the stronger unit, carrying a 3.80 team ERA and 1.27 WHIP. They are 4-6 over their last 10 games. Chicago has been better offensively, with a .720 OPS, .237 batting average, and 546 runs scored. The White Sox pitching staff has been less efficient overall, posting a 4.13 ERA and 1.31 WHIP, but the lineup has produced more consistently than Cleveland’s. They are also 4-6 in their last 10 games.