Cleveland recovered from losing the opening two games at home to win the next three and take the best-of-five series 3–2. The decisive victory at Progressive Field secured a meeting with the Tampa Bay Rays for a place in the World Series.
Ramírez delivers decisive home run
José Ramírez proved the difference-maker, hitting a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning to put Cleveland ahead.
Steven Kwan scored on the drive, giving the Guardians the advantage they needed in a tense, winner-takes-all contest.
The home run continued Ramírez’s improved postseason form after a difficult start to the series. His contribution proved decisive as Cleveland’s pitching staff kept Chicago off the scoreboard.
Williams dominates on the mound
Starting pitcher Gavin Williams produced an outstanding performance, striking out 12 batters across 5⅔ scoreless innings.
Williams carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning before Kyle Teel recorded Chicago’s first hit with two outs. The White Sox subsequently threatened to get back into the contest by loading the bases, but reliever Erik Sabrowski struck out Munetaka Murakami to end the danger.
Sabrowski, Hunter Gaddis and closer Cade Smith helped complete the shutout. Smith recorded the final outs to secure the victory.
Cleveland’s pitching staff combined for 21 strikeouts, setting a Major League Baseball postseason record for a nine-inning game.
Historic comeback completes Cleveland turnaround
The Guardians became the first team since the 2017 New York Yankees to win a best-of-five postseason series after losing the opening two games.
The achievement was particularly significant because Cleveland had suffered both initial defeats at home before recovering to win three consecutive elimination games.
The series also highlighted the Guardians’ resilience and pitching depth, with their staff limiting Chicago to three hits in the decisive game.
For the White Sox, the defeat ended a memorable postseason campaign after they had progressed through the American League Wild Card Series.
Guardians prepare for ALCS showdown with Rays
Cleveland will now face the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Championship Series, with Game 1 scheduled for Monday, 12 October, in St. Petersburg, Florida.
The best-of-seven series will determine which team advances to the World Series.
After overcoming a 0–2 deficit against Chicago, the Guardians head into the next round with renewed momentum as they continue their pursuit of a championship.