Parker Messick started Game 2 of the ALCS for Cleveland. He pitched in the park where he grew up watching games.
Messick is 25 years old. He is a left-handed pitcher in his first full season with the Guardians.
He made 32 starts this season. He posted a 2.56 ERA with 193 strikeouts.
Messick comes from Plant City, Florida. His hometown sits about 45 minutes from Tropicana Field.
He took laps around the field with his youth teams. He watched the Rays win a World Series game there in 2008.
He allowed one run in each of his two past starts against Tampa Bay. Cleveland trusted that record.
Tampa Bay sent Freddy Peralta to the mound. He went 4-0 with a 0.96 ERA in September.
The Guardians won Game 1 by 7-3 on Monday. A Game 2 win would give them a 2-0 series lead.
The first team to win four games moves on. The winner reaches the World Series.
The series moves on to Game 3 on Thursday. Tampa Bay expects veteran Nick Martinez to start.
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