Guardians host White Sox in decisive ALDS Game 5 Saturday

The Cleveland Guardians will host the Chicago White Sox on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 8 p.m. EDT in a winner-take-all Game 5 of the American League Division Series at Progressive Field. The series is tied 2–2 after four games, with the winner advancing to the ALCS against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Guardians forced the decisive game by defeating the White Sox 9–5 on Thursday night in Chicago, overcoming a 2–0 series deficit. José Ramírez hit a two-run homer and drove in three runs, while Patrick Bailey also homered. The Guardians scored six runs in the sixth inning to break open the game. This marked Cleveland's second consecutive win in Chicago after losing the first two games at home. According to historical records, teams with a 2–0 lead in a best-of-five playoff series have won 83 of 93 times; if the Guardians win Game 5, they would become the first team to overcome a 2–0 deficit since the 2017 New York Yankees accomplished the feat against Cleveland.

The White Sox, who earned the AL wild card after a 84–78 regular season, began their postseason run with four consecutive victories on the road—the first 4–0 postseason start in franchise history. They swept Houston in the Wild Card Series before winning the first two ALDS games in Cleveland. However, their bullpen has deteriorated in Games 3 and 4, with the team being outscored 18–8 at home over those two contests. White Sox manager Will Venable noted that the team had sought to clinch a postseason series at home for the first time since the 1906 World Series against the Chicago Cubs, but that opportunity has passed.

Cleveland will start right-hander Gavin Williams, who went 14–8 in the regular season with a 3.76 ERA and led the American League with 248 strikeouts. Williams appeared in relief in Game 4, throwing 18 pitches to record three outs, though this could affect his availability for a full starting role on Saturday. Chicago will counter with right-hander Sean Burke, who is 1–0 with a 3.86 ERA in one postseason start and one relief appearance, posting a 0.64 WHIP with 14 strikeouts in 9.1 playoff innings.

The Guardians (85–77 in the regular season, first in the AL Central) finished the season 41–40 at home and have won six of their past ten games. The White Sox (84–78, second in the AL Central) are 36–45 on the road and have gone 7–3 in their past ten games. All four games in the series have been won by the visiting team. The winner will travel to Tampa Bay to begin the ALCS on Monday.