Game result and context
Cleveland Guardians beat Chicago White Sox 2-0 in game 5 to win the AL Division Series
One swing settled it. José Ramírez hit a home run that drove in 2 runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, and the Cleveland Guardians made it hold for a 2-0 win over the Chicago White Sox in game 5 of the AL Division Series on October 10, 2026. Gavin Williams struck out 12 over 5.2 scoreless innings, and the bullpen closed it out as Cleveland won the series 3-2 before 36,889 at Progressive Field.
Final result
The Cleveland Guardians beat the Chicago White Sox 2-0 in nine innings at Progressive Field on October 10, 2026. The win clinched the AL Division Series for Cleveland in the fifth and final game.
Cleveland finished at 3-2 and Chicago at 2-3. Attendance was 36,889.
How the game changed
Neither team scored through three innings. In the bottom of the fourth, José Ramírez homered to drive in 2 runs, and that was the only scoring of the game.
Chicago never broke through after that. The White Sox were held scoreless in all nine innings and did not hit a home run. Cleveland had the game's only home run.
Key performances
Gavin Williams carried the Cleveland pitching. He worked 5.2 innings, struck out 12 and allowed no earned runs to earn the win, improving to 1-0.
José Ramírez went 1 for 3 with a run scored, the home run and 2 RBI. The relief work held up behind Williams. Hunter Gaddis struck out 4 over 1.1 scoreless innings and earned his second hold. Cade Smith struck out 4 over 1.2 scoreless innings and recorded his first save.
For Chicago, Sean Burke took the loss and fell to 1-1. He pitched 5.0 innings, struck out 4 and allowed 2 earned runs. Sean Newcomb added 2.0 scoreless innings with 3 strikeouts.
Season and playoff context
This was a playoff game, and it decided the AL Division Series. Cleveland's victory clinched the series at home.
Series context
The series went the full five games. Cleveland won it 3-2, taking the deciding game behind its pitching and one swing from Ramírez.