Guardians put their trade deadline to the test with ALCS Game 1 starter decision vs. Rays

The Cleveland Guardians announced they will start Foster Griffin for Game 1 against Drew Rasmussen and the Tampa Bay Rays.

Griffin was acquired at the trade deadline by Cleveland after a solid first half of the season for the Washington Nationals that resulted in an All-Star appearance. He had an up-and-down stretch with the Guardians to close the regular season, pitching in nine starts to the tune of a 5.19 ERA in 43.1 innings thrown.

Griffin pitched in the series-altering Game 3 of the ALDS against the Chicago White Sox and displayed some dominance. He allowed only a run in 2.2 innings, striking out seven batters in the process. He showed poise in a big moment and delivered with command of the zone and a nice pitch mix that kept his opponent off balance. Now, against a more balanced lineup, Griffin will be asked to get the job done in Game 1.

This is a great opportunity for Griffin to prove the early part of his 2026 season was not a fluke and that he can be a productive pitcher at the Major League level. He is a great story, having spent the last several years in Japan refining his craft before coming back to the states. It is also a great chance to showcase to the Cleveland Guardians that he would be worth a longer investment, as he is a free agent following this season. His post-trade deadline 5.19 ERA in nine starts didn't set the world on fire, but his more recent data has been far more encouraging - and the Rays have a team .678 OPS against left-handers this offseason, leaving them comparatively vulnerable (.751 against righties).

I doubt the Guardians will ask the world of Griffin, as the bullpen had a rest day yesterday and pitchers Joey Cantillo, Tanner Bibee, and Daniel Espino have all had several days of rest if he is unable to go very deep into the game. I would expect Cantillo to follow Griffin or provide a little bit of length at some point. Bibee and Espino would surprise me a bit more, as Bibee struggled with command in Game 4 and Espino has not been anything special. 

It is likely Game 1 will be treated as a de facto bullpen game, with the opportunity for Griffin to work deep into the game if he keeps runners off base and is in command of the strike zone. I am sure Vogt would love nothing more than to not have to tax his bullpen heavily to begin the series. For Griffin, this is a wonderful audition for a long-term back of the rotation spot and as a guy that can be relied upon as this series and Postseason run goes deeper.

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