Cleveland turns to rookie Espino in must-win Game 3

GuardiansCleveland Guardians, Chicago White Sox starting lineups for Oct. 7, 2026: ALDS Game 3Daniel Espino will start Game 3 of the ALDS in Chicago.AP Photo/Abbie ParrCLEVELAND, Ohio — The Guardians face their first win-or-go-home game of the postseason Wednesday when they take on the White Sox in Game 3 of the American League Division Series at Rate Field. Chicago leads the best-of-five series 2-0 after taking both games at Progressive Field, including a 4-3 victory Monday in Game 2. Cleveland will turn to rookie right-hander Daniel Espino as an opener, with Joey Cantillo, Tanner Bibee, Foster Griffin and essentially the entire pitching staff available behind him. The White Sox will counter with left-hander Sean Newcomb as their opener as they try to advance to the AL Championship Series for the first time since 2005.Cleveland’s biggest challenge is finding enough offense to extend its season. The Guardians have scored just three runs on seven hits through the first two games, with José Ramírez 0-for-6 and several other key hitters struggling to make an impact. Chicago’s pitching staff owns a 1.75 ERA with 43 strikeouts through four postseason games, and closer Grant Taylor has recorded the final 12 outs of Game 1 and the final four of Game 2. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET, with TBS, truTV and HBO Max carrying the game. Here are the starting lineups for Wednesday’s game between the Guardians and White Sox.Where: Progressive Field, 4:05 p.m. ET.TV/radio: TBS/HBO MAX, TruTV, Univision/ TUDN, WTAM 1100 AM, WMMS 100.7 FM, WARF 1350 AM (Spanish) and the Guardians Radio Network will carry the game.Teams: Guardians (0-2) vs. White Sox (4-0).Starting pitchers: RHP Daniel Espino (0-0, 4.11) vs. LHP Sean Newcomb (2-5, 3.09).Sam McDowell’s co-author donating sales from book in honor of pitcher’s memoryWhere to watch Guardians vs. White Sox ALDS Game 3 today: MLB free live streamThe Guardians’ offense has gone silent at the worst possible timeGUARDIANSLF Steven Kwan.3B José Ramírez.RF Chase DeLauter.DH Jo Adell.1B Nathaniel Lowe.LF Angel Martínez.2B Travis Bazzana.C Patrick Bailey.SS Brayan Rocchio.Daniel Espino.AP Photo/Charles KrupaWHITE SOXDH Sam Antonacci.3B Miguel Vargas.1B Munetaka Murakami.C Kyle Teel.2B Chase Meidroth.CF Tristan Peters.RF Braden Montgomery.LF Randal Grichuk.SS Colson Montgomery.Joe Noga has more than 25 years experience in Cleveland sports media with time spent covering Browns, Cavaliers and Indians/Guardians, as well as local high school and college sports and athletes. He covered a...