Sports · Baseball · 1 day ago
Gavin Williams to start for Guardians in deciding ALDS Game 5
The Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox will meet in a deciding Game 5 of their American League Division Series at Progressive Field.
Cleveland will start right-hander Gavin Williams, who pitched 18 relief pitches to secure the Guardians’ Game 4 win.
Williams also started Game 2, striking out 11 over five innings while allowing two runs.
His quick return to the mound is unusual: he will start just two days after recording the final out of the previous game.
Chicago will start right-hander Sean Burke, who pitched in Game 2 after the White Sox used an opener.
Both teams have relied heavily on their bullpens, and some relievers’ availability is uncertain.
The winner will face the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Championship Series, which begins Monday.
Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt announced that right-hander Gavin Williams will start Saturday’s winner-take-all American League Division Series Game 5 against the Chicago White Sox.
Williams pitched 18 relief pitches in Game 4 on Thursday, helping Cleveland secure the win and force the deciding game.
Williams also started Game 2, throwing 98 pitches over five innings.
Chicago will start right-hander Sean Burke, who pitched 5⅓ innings in Game 2 after the White Sox used an opener.
Both teams’ bullpens have been heavily used, and the availability of Cleveland closer Cade Smith for Game 5 is uncertain.
The winner of the series will face the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Championship Series, which begins Monday.
- Who
- Cleveland Guardians right-hander Gavin Williams and Chicago White Sox right-hander Sean Burke
- What
- They are set to start the winner-take-all ALDS Game 5
- When
- Saturday, October 10, 2026
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- The game will decide the American League Division Series after Cleveland won Game 4
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
So Gavin is ready to go tomorrow. Feels good today. So we will obviously see how he's doing tomorrow.
At the end of the day, Game 5, deciding game here of a series, it's going to be all hands on deck.
Williams started for Cleveland and threw 98 pitches over five innings, while Burke pitched 5⅓ innings for Chicago after the team used an opener.
Williams pitched 18 relief pitches in Game 4 as Cleveland won and forced a deciding Game 5.
Vogt announced Williams would start Game 5, with Burke starting for Chicago.
The American League Championship Series is scheduled to begin, with the winner facing the Tampa Bay Rays.
- Cleveland starter
- Gavin Williams, 27
- Chicago starter
- Sean Burke
- Williams' Game 4 relief outing
- 18 pitches
- Williams' Game 2 start
- 98 pitches over five innings
- Series status
- Game 5 is winner-take-all
- Next series
- The winner faces the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALCS, beginning Monday
Sources
Guardians' Gavin Williams joining extremely rare playoff company with pivotal ALDS Game 5 start vs. White Sox
Guardians ace Gavin Williams to start vs Sean Burke and White Sox in winner-take-all ALDS Game 5
Grand closing, grand opening: Guardians go back to Williams to start Game 5
Guardians’ Gavin Williams to start Game 5 after closing Game 4
Related news
Brewers host Dodgers in National League Championship Series opener
Brewers captain benched for Game 1 against Dodgers
Dodgers face Brewers with Tarik Skubal starting
Ohtani bats fourth, Hernández starts at second base in NLCS Game 1
Yankees social media spotlight is titled “Curtains”
Cubs look back at their 2016 NLDS ninth-inning comeback
Championship Series matchups highlight Nationals’ ability to win without a huge payroll
A pitching matchup is billed as the 2026 postseason’s best
Dodgers and Brewers announce NLCS rosters
Dodgers name Skubal for NLCS opener against Brewers, Yamamoto for Game 2
Grant Holman receives a 2026 report card
