Chase DeLauter’s opening act makes Guardians history, leaves everybody believing in more to come

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Chase DeLauter’s journey to the big leagues has been anything but conventional. But on Wednesday afternoon, it became historic.

The 23-year-old outfielder, Cleveland’s first-round pick in 2022, became the first player in franchise history — and just the sixth in the modern era — to make his major league debut in the postseason. Under the bright lights of a win-or-go-home wild card elimination game, DeLauter’s debut wasn’t flawless, but it was fearless.