Guardians and White Sox Set for Winner-Take-All ALDS Game 5 in Cleveland

The Cleveland Guardians forced a decisive ALDS Game 5 against the Chicago White Sox after winning two consecutive road games to tie the series.

The Cleveland Guardians host the Chicago White Sox for a winner-take-all ALDS Game 5 at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday. The winner of this matchup advances to the American League Championship Series to face the Tampa Bay Rays. Cleveland forced this deciding game by winning two consecutive road contests in Chicago after losing the first two games of the series at home. Historically, the Guardians are the sixth team to force a Game 5 after an 0-2 start at home; three of the previous five teams to do so won their respective series.

Gavin Williams is scheduled to start for Cleveland after throwing in relief during Game 4 on Thursday. Williams previously struck out 11 batters over five innings in Game 2, though he was removed after 98 pitches. The Guardians' bullpen enters the finale with heavy usage, specifically Cade Smith, who has pitched in all four games of the series and threw 50 pitches across Games 3 and 4 combined.

Sean Burke will start for the White Sox. During Chicago's Game 2 victory, Burke pitched 5⅓ innings and allowed one run. The White Sox offense ranked third in the American League this season with 211 home runs, though the team has struggled with plate discipline throughout the series. Chicago's relief corps struggled in Game 4, and the team seeks length from Burke to avoid overtaxing a bullpen that appeared fatigued in the previous two matchups.