Guardians manager Stephen Vogt’s foolish decision immediately backfires in Game 3 vs. White Sox

Nairavoice | Oct 7, 2026 55m ago 209 0 2 min read

e1e50ef29a8c185c838bcaa6f3b11c39 Guardians manager Stephen Vogt’s foolish decision immediately backfires in Game 3 vs. White Sox

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt’s foolish decision immediately backfires in Game 3 vs. White Sox appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Cleveland Guardians entered Game 3 of the American League Division Series desperately needing a win to keep their season alive. The Chicago White Sox entered the contest with a 2-0 series lead. Although Cleveland had three starting pitchers available — Foster Griffin, Joey Cantillo and Tanner Bibee — Guardians manager Guardians manager Stephen Vogt’s foolish decision Stephen Vogt opted to turn to an opener in Daniel Espino with just 15 total (14 regular season and one postseason) career appearances heading into the matchup.

With the White Sox fans in Chicago roaring, Chicago didn’t waste time putting a run on the board. In fact, Vogt ended up turning to Griffin with two runners on base and two outs in a 1-0 game in the 1st inning. Griffin was able to record the final out of the inning and keep the deficit at one, but the plan clearly backfired. Turning to Griffin in the 1st defeated the purpose of the opener.

The Guardians could end up coming back and winning the game. Cleveland may also lose on Wednesday. It remains to be seen what will happen. However, it is confirmed that Vogt made a foolish decision by going with Espino in Game 3.

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Perhaps that’s a harsh assessment. After all, Vogt is a two-time AL Manager of the Year Award winner. Cleveland is a city that is hungry for a World Series, though. The franchise hasn’t won a Fall Classic since 1948. The Espino decision was one that even a casual fan may have questioned, so one has to wonder why the manager of the ball club went in that direction.

Griffin and the pitching staff will look to keep Cleveland in the game as the offense hopes to finally find some sort of rhythm.