Gavin Williams makes postseason history in Game 3 victory

Cleveland Guardians pitcher Gavin Williams. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Guardians ace Gavin Williams makes postseason history in Game 3 victory

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated Oct 15, 2026 8:53 PM ET

Cleveland Guardians ace Gavin Williams made postseason history in his team's 3-2 Game 3 victory against the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday.

The right-handed starter recorded a 45.9% strikeout rate, which is the highest of any pitcher through their first six postseason appearances (minimum of 10 innings pitched) in MLB history.

This comes as no surprise following his stellar 2026 regular-season campaign, boasting a 14-8 record with a 3.76 ERA with 248 strikeouts and a 1.11 WHIP.

The 27-year-old may have been taken out after recording 70 pitches, but he still helped lead the Guardians past Tampa and picked up his second postseason win. He pitched five strong innings on the mound with nine strikeouts while giving up only two earned runs with one walk.

Gavin Williams’ 45.9% strikeout rate is the highest of any pitcher in his first six career appearances in postseason history (min 10 IP)
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 15, 2026

Gavin Williams continues to be a dominant force in the postseason

Williams has been dominant in this year's postseason, going 2-0 with a 2.16 ERA and 33 strikeouts across 16.2 innings in four appearances.

He has also been nearly unhittable this postseason with a stellar 17.82 K/9 (strikeouts per nine innings) during his starts. His strikeout dominance this season was also highlighted by his 12-strikeout gem across 5.2 innings against the Chicago White Sox on Oct. 10.

His eight-pitch second inning, where he picked up his third strikeout, showed his efficiency. Williams found his groove with his fifth strikeout to end the third inning. He was also consistent with attacking and pounding the strike zone, with more sweepers and knuckle curves in the fourth inning.

Williams ended the top of the first inning with back-to-back strikeouts, retiring AL MVP candidate Junior Caminero, who is still looking for his first postseason home run, and struck out four times in Game 3.

Despite Williams giving up a triple to Chandler Simpson in the top of the fourth, he showed how he is a dominant force and helped team gain a 2-1 series lead.

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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