Cleveland Hosts Chicago In Decisive ALDS Game 5

Winner Take All In Cleveland

The American League Division Series comes down to a final Game 5 on Saturday night at 8 p.m. ET. The Cleveland Guardians dropped the first two games at home against the Chicago White Sox. They rallied back with two straight road wins in Chicago to force this winner take all matchup in Cleveland. The team that wins moves on to face the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL Championship Series.

Cleveland is just the sixth team in playoff history to force a Game 5 after dropping the opening two games at home. Three of the previous five teams won their series, including the 2015 Blue Jays, 2012 Giants, and 2001 Yankees. The 2010 Rays and 1981 Brewers both lost their fifth games.

Starting Pitchers And Bullpen Strain

Sean Burke takes the mound for Chicago against Gavin Williams for Cleveland. Burke gave the White Sox five and a third innings while allowing one run in their Game 2 victory. Jesse Rogers noted that Burke has been Chicago's best starter all season, and getting another deep outing will help protect a bullpen that faltered in Game 4.

For Cleveland, Williams closed Game 4 on Thursday after skipping his usual Wednesday bullpen session. He struck out 11 batters in Game 2, but Chicago forced him out after 98 pitches in five innings. Williams said he is ready for whatever the team needs, whether that means seven, eight, or nine innings. Guardians manager Stephen Vogt will need efficiency from Williams to avoid overusing his relievers.

Guardians pitcher Cade Smith threw 50 pitches across Games 3 and 4. He has appeared in all four games of the series so far, but he failed to record an out in the ninth inning of Game 4.

Keys To A Game 5 Victory

The White Sox ranked third in the American League with 211 home runs this season. Bradford Doolittle pointed out that Cleveland must keep Chicago from hitting long balls and work deep counts at the plate. Chicago hitters have been swinging at pitches outside the zone with runners on base.

If Cleveland can work counts early, they can force White Sox manager Will Venable to make early calls to his bullpen. Chicago's relievers looked tired in Games 3 and 4, making early workload management a major factor.

What it means for the next game

Chicago White Sox at Cleveland Guardians (MLB, Sun, 11 Oct): Cleveland Guardians win 51%, Chicago White Sox win 49%; projected score Cleveland Guardians 4, Chicago White Sox 4. Our safest pick: White Sox +3.5.