Cleveland left-hander Parker Messick is poised to make his major league debut on September 20, 2023, as the Guardians face the Arizona Diamondbacks in the final game of a critical three-game series in Phoenix. This promotion comes as the Guardians continue their pursuit of a playoff spot, currently sitting three games out of the final American League wild-card position.
Messick, selected in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft, has been impressive in the minors. The 24-year-old boasts a record of 5-6 with a 3.47 ERA over 20 starts for Triple-A Columbus. His strong performance includes 119 strikeouts and 42 walks across 98 and two-thirds innings. Notably, Messick has excelled in his recent outings, posting a 2.93 ERA with an 0.88 WHIP in his last five starts.
In his debut, Messick will face Diamondbacks right-hander Brandon Pfaadt, who holds a record of 12-8 and a 5.08 ERA. Pfaadt’s recent performance has been mixed, with a two-game winning streak snapped after he allowed four runs in six innings during a loss to the Rockies on September 15. Despite this, he remains tied for third in the National League in victories, although his ERA ranks 23rd among 27 qualifiers.
The Guardians are coming off a challenging game where they left the bases loaded in both the seventh and eighth innings, ultimately losing 6-5 to the Diamondbacks on September 19. Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt acknowledged the difficulties his team faced. “We had a lot of weak contact tonight, but that’s a testament to their pitching,” Vogt noted, emphasizing the need for improvement as they approach the postseason.
On the opposing side, the Diamondbacks have recently revamped their batting order, placing Geraldo Perdomo, Ketel Marte, and Corbin Carroll at the top. This trio has combined for a remarkable .323 batting average over the past eight games, contributing six doubles, three triples, four home runs, 14 RBIs, and nine stolen bases. Carroll, in particular, has made headlines with 27 home runs this season and a career-high 16 triples.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo expressed confidence in the new lineup configuration. “I like it a lot,” he remarked, highlighting the dynamic potential of Carroll in the revised order. “With the way ‘Gerry’ gets on base and the way Marte is able to hit the baseball, I feel that he’s going to be able to slug with guys on and help us score some runs.”
As Messick prepares for his debut, the stakes are high for both teams. The Guardians are in a critical playoff race, while the Diamondbacks look to solidify their standing in the National League. The match-up promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the series, with both teams aiming for a crucial victory as the regular season winds down.
