Hagen Smith is opening for the Chicago White Sox for the second time during their American League Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians. Game 4 is a rematch between Cleveland starter Parker Messick and Smith. Messick and Smith started and opened Game 1 of the ALDS.

Smith will be making his third appearance of the series in Game 4. In Game 1, Smith pitched 2.2 innings, holding Cleveland hitless with three walks and four strikeouts. Smith pitched 0.2 innings in Game 3, allowing one run on one hit, the game-winning Jo Adell triple, two walks and one strikeout.

In three games against Cleveland during the regular season, Smith pitched 5.2 innings, allowing two hits and six walks with eight strikeouts. Control has been a huge issue for Smith in his rookie season. He had three wins and three losses with a 1.29 earned run average, 11 hits, 16 walks and 41 strikeouts in 28.0 innings during the 2026 regular season.

Cleveland's two hits against Smith this season came in 19 at-bats, but the Guardians also had six walks in 25 plate appearances. Cleveland hit .105 against Smith in 2026 with a .320 on-base percentage, .156 slugging percentage and .478 OPS. 

How the Guardians have played against Hagen Smith in 2026

The only hits Smith allowed against Cleveland during the regular season were a single by Steven Kwan and a double by Jose Ramirez. Smith needs to cut down on his walks against Cleveland in Game 4 to limit the Guardians offense. Nine other Guardians, including Adell, failed to get hits off Smith in 19 at-bats during the 2026 regular season.

Depending on how long Messick pitches in Game 4, Cleveland is not expected to need to go as deep into the bullpen as the White Sox. Smith is likely to pitch two-plus innings before White Sox manager Will Venable goes to the bullpen.