Joey Cantillo showed promise during his rookie season, demonstrating flashes of potential but also experiencing some inconsistency. At 24 years old, he had a limited sample size with 38 2/3 innings pitched and will need to build on his performance to secure a more permanent spot in the rotation moving forward.

Joey Cantillo made his postseason debut in Game 1 against the Yankees, coming in after Alex Cobb struggled. Although he only allowed one run, he walked three batters and his performance was seen as a sign of the Guardians' lack of confidence, as he hadn’t pitched at all during the postseason prior to this. His introduction to the game felt like a surrender, and it highlighted the Guardians' struggles and questionable managerial decisions, particularly from rookie manager Stephen Vogt.

Joey Cantillo struggled significantly in Game 1, throwing four wild pitches, the second most in postseason history. His inability to find the strike zone contributed to the Guardians' downfall, as three runs scored due to wild pitches, all of which came after batters reached base on walks. Guardians manager Stephen Vogt noted that Cantillo appeared rushed and had difficulty settling in, leading to a series of self-inflicted wounds that hurt the team's chances.

Joey Cantillo's wild pitches in Game 1 contributed to the Yankees' scoring, opening the floodgates for their offense. His struggles highlighted a pattern of inconsistency in the Guardians' pitching, which has been a significant factor in their challenges during the ALCS.

Joey Cantillo has experience as both a starter and reliever on the Guardians' roster. With Cobb's injury, he remains a potential option for the pitching rotation, alongside Gavin Williams and Ben Lively, as the team navigates the ALCS.