MLBOct 9
Guardians Tap Williams, White Sox Turn to Burke for Game 5
Both clubs turn to right-handers who saw action earlier in the series as they meet in a winner-take-all matchup
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Williams Gets the Call After Late Relief Work
Cleveland will hand the ball to Gavin Williams for Game 5 after the right-hander threw 18 pitches in relief during Game 4. He had already started Game 2, working 98 pitches across five innings. Manager Stephen Vogt indicated the recent outing should serve as a higher-intensity session and that Williams reported feeling good ahead of the decisive contest. Chicago will counter with Sean Burke, who was lined up to enter Game 4 if the score had been tied in the ninth. Burke worked 5⅓ innings in Game 2 after an opener and will now take the ball from the first pitch.
Bullpens Show Signs of Heavy Use
Both sides enter the finale with taxed relief corps. Cade Smith has appeared in every game of the series, including Games 3 and 4. His availability remains uncertain after struggling in extended work. On the White Sox side, Grant Taylor surrendered four runs without recording an out in Game 4 and has now thrown 67 pitches across three ALDS outings. Managers noted that both clubs will weigh how pitchers are feeling while preparing for maximum effort in the clincher.
Winner Advances to Face Rays
The victor will open the AL Championship Series against the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday.
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