ALCS: Gavin Williams' Historic Strikeout Rate

ALCS: Gavin Williams’ Historic Strikeout Rate

By Nate Miller

Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images

October 19, 2026

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Gavin Williams is putting together a historic 2026 postseason run. He has posted a 2.16 ERA with 33 strikeouts over his first 16 2/3 innings. His most recent start came in Game Three of the ALCS against the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday at Progressive Field in Cleveland. The Guardians won that game, 3–2. Williams received the decision, giving him his second win of the postseason. He pitched five innings that night, surrendering two runs, both earned, on two hits. Williams also walked one and struck out nine in that game. The Guardians’ pitching staff as a whole combined for 13 strikeouts in Game Three.

Strikeout Artist

Gavin Williams currently has a 2026 postseason strikeout percentage of 45.9%. It is the highest in Major League Baseball history among pitchers with at least 10 innings pitched in a single postseason, surpassing Corey Knebel‘s 42.4% in 2018. That doesn’t come without a cost, though. Williams also wedged in a relief appearance in Game Four of the ALDS then came back around to start Game Five two days later. Starting pitchers are creatures of habit, but Williams is suddenly pushing himself in brand new ways, asking more of his body than ever.

“Gavin was outstanding again,” said manager Stephen Vogt. “He was everything we could ask for and more. One mistake, and [Chandler] Simpson made him pay for it, but I thought Gavin threw the ball excellently. Probably could have gone longer, but his velo started to drop there in the fifth. And what we just asked him to do over the weekend, out of abundance of caution and in fairness to him, it felt like it was time to move away from him.”

Trying Not to Do Too Much

There are times to punch the gas and hope for the best, like the Guardians are doing with closer Cade Smith and setup man Hunter Gaddis. Both of them are sure bets to pitch in nearly every game. But there are also times to cash out. Vogt and the Guardians cashed out at the right time Thursday, getting another spectacular performance out of Williams but still protecting the next one. Williams could come back for Game Seven on regular rest if it’s needed, but as we’ve seen already, “regular” is out the window.

“I definitely noticed it a little bit, but I’ve done something that I never did last week,” Williams stated. “So I thank them too. They noticed it a little bit. So we’ll see what I’ve got in two days or five days, whatever they need from me.”