The Cleveland Guardians are officially bound for the American League Championship Series.
A Game 5 victory on Saturday night saw Cleveland complete a stunning division series comeback against the Chicago White Sox. Having trailed 0-2 in the series, the Guardians will now travel to St. Petersburg, Florida, to face the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the ALCS on Monday night.
Here is a breakdown of how Cleveland secured the win and advanced.
Key Takeaways
Cleveland advances with a 3-2 series victory
Editor’s Picks
It was over when … Jose Ramirez returned to his All-Star form. After a difficult season complicated by injuries, the seven-time All-Star elevated his play with the Guardians’ postseason future at stake. Following his contribution to bring the series back to Cleveland, Ramirez delivered the decisive blow in Game 5 — a two-run home run in the fourth inning that would stand as the only runs scored in the game. It also marked the lowest pitch ever recorded for a postseason home run in the pitch-tracking era (since 2008). — Matt Marrone
Stat that defined the game: 21. The Guardians’ pitching staff recorded 21 strikeouts in a Game 5 masterpiece. It is the most in a winner-take-all game in MLB postseason history, per ESPN Research, surpassing Detroit’s 20 from last year. Notably, it is an MLB record for any nine-inning game — regular season or playoffs. Gavin Williams accounted for 12 of those strikeouts in a dominant performance, while the bullpen effectively neutralized the White Sox throughout the night. — Dan Mullen
Highlights from the Guardians’ win
Cleveland completes the comeback with 21 strikeouts
The Guardians erase an 0-2 series deficit and advance to the ALCS! #CLINCHED
(MLB x @BudweiserUSA) https://t.co/g0zCsmeMPB
— MLB (@MLB) October 11, 2026
Gavin Williams delivers another dominant outing
All 12 of Gavin Williams’ Game 5 strikeouts https://t.co/m338iiKfbc
— MLB (@MLB) October 11, 2026
White Sox earn first hit in sixth, escape bases-loaded jam
JAM ESCAPED
Erik Sabrowski strikes out Munetaka Murakami to strand the bases loaded! https://t.co/3Qots2hK9f
— MLB (@MLB) October 11, 2026
Gavin Williams exits to a standing ovation https://t.co/CwsMMd4al9
— MLB (@MLB) October 11, 2026
Speaking of on fire: Gavin Williams
Gavin Williams through 5 innings:
11 strikeouts
0 hits https://t.co/GjB0fFNFfP— MLB (@MLB) October 11, 2026
Jose Ramirez is on fire. 2-0 Guardians
JOSÉ RAMÍREZ!
GUARDIANS TAKE THE FIRST LEAD OF GAME 5! https://t.co/Z0zoqm513R
— MLB (@MLB) October 11, 2026
From @ESPNInsights: The Jose Ramirez home run was 0.89 feet above the ground as it crossed home plate. It’s the lowest pitch he’s hit for a home run in his MLB career.
It’s also the lowest pitch anyone has hit for a postseason home run in the pitch-tracking era (since 2008).— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) October 11, 2026
José Ramírez got a home run pitch https://t.co/jMTKfm5Td6
— MLB (@MLB) October 11, 2026
Pitching … and defense (and no hits for either team through three innings)
Munetaka Murakami makes it look easy! https://t.co/Fe5bGjvxbj
— MLB (@MLB) October 11, 2026
9 up, 9 down for Sean Burke! https://t.co/wgDpuDrULa
— MLB (@MLB) October 11, 2026
Cleveland getting what it wanted from Williams so far
Williams with 4 k’s so far. He’s throwing heat, avg. over 99 mph on his fastball which is up a couple clicks from his reg season avg. Also, had a 7 pitch first — his fewest pitches in a 1st inning since July 1, 2025.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) October 11, 2026
Williams looks sharp in opening frame (Update: Burke does too)
Gavin Williams dials it up to 100 MPH in a scoreless 1st inning https://t.co/MwtH7cdODc
— MLB (@MLB) October 11, 2026
Slingin’ in the rain https://t.co/UoqdFX7g2F
— MLB (@MLB) October 11, 2026