The Cleveland Guardians face a consequential lineup decision ahead of Thursday night’s win-or-go-home ALDS Game 4 against the Chicago White Sox.
The Guardians’ Game 4 lineup carries added significance with the team needing a victory at Rate Field to force a decisive Game 5.
Jomboy Media’s Chris Rose took to X, formerly Twitter, Thursday afternoon to weigh in on Cleveland’s lineup ahead of the elimination game.
“Just a thought.
I would start Halpin over Angel today, regardless of matchups.”
Martinez has started all three games of the series but remains hitless entering Game 4. The switch-hitter is 0-for-12 with seven strikeouts, including an 0-for-4 showing with three strikeouts in the Guardians’ 9-3 Game 3 win Wednesday.
Martinez hit .254 with 18 home runs and 62 RBI in 389 at-bats during the regular season, giving Cleveland established production despite his postseason slump.
Halpin, meanwhile, has not recorded a postseason at-bat. The 24-year-old left-handed hitter batted .225 with four home runs, 14 RBI and 10 stolen bases across 178 regular-season at-bats in 2026.
Article Continues BelowRose’s “regardless of matchups” point adds another layer because the White Sox plan to open Game 4 with left-hander Hagen Smith. A conventional platoon matchup would favor Martinez, a switch-hitter, over the left-handed Halpin.
Cleveland had not announced its Game 4 lineup when Rose shared his suggestion. The Guardians were expected to keep most of Wednesday’s order intact, with Austin Hedges catching Parker Messick.
The Guardians trail the best-of-five series 2-1 after avoiding elimination Wednesday. Cleveland needs another win Thursday evening to send the series back home for Game 5 on Saturday night, while a loss would end its 2026 season.