In a way, Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt's job has been fairly simple for the last two games. With his team facing elimination in the American League Championship Series, Vogt has been allowed to employ every weapon on his roster. There's no point in planning for tomorrow if there might not be a tomorrow.
Vogt faces much the same situation now. Having stormed back to tie the best-of-five series, the Guardians host the Chicago White Sox in a decisive Game 5 on Saturday. Once again, all options are on the table.
That includes the 26-year-old right-hander who helped them get here just two days earlier.
Gavin Williams, who came out of the bullpen to close out Thursday's Game 4, is expected to be available to pitch Saturday. He might even start, as he was scheduled to before his relief appearance.
"I'm good to go," Williams told MLB.com's Tim Stebbins. "Whatever they need me to do, I'll do it. If I've got to start, I'll start. If I come out of the 'pen, I'll come out of the 'pen. It doesn't matter. I'll do anything."
Cleveland has loads of pitching depth, and Vogt has used every ounce of it in this series. The Guardians have leaned heavily on starters Parker Messick, Tanner Bibee, Joey Cantillo, Foster Griffin and Williams, as well as relievers Cade Smith and Hunter Gaddis. It was Smith who Williams was called upon to relieve for the final three outs Thursday.
If Williams indeed does pitch on Saturday, it would be impressive, but not unthinkable. Thursday was a planned throw day and he only threw 18 pitches -- albeit with greater intensity than typically comes in a side session -- so his arm should still have some life in it for Game 5.