First Pitch: 8:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio
TV/Streaming: TBS / truTV / HBO Max
This is a winner-take-all Game 5 of the American League Division Series. The series is tied 2-2 after the road team won the first four games: White Sox took Games 1-2 in Cleveland (3-0 and 4-3), then Guardians responded with 9-3 and 9-5 wins in Chicago. Regular-season records: White Sox 84-78 (2nd AL Central), Guardians 85-77 (1st AL Central).
Probable Starting Pitchers
White Sox: RHP Sean Burke (Regular season: 11-7, 3.34 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 185 K in 172.1 IP; Postseason: 1-0, 3.86 ERA, 0.64 WHIP in 9.1 IP). Burke earned the win in Game 2 with 5.1 strong relief innings (1 ER, 6 K). He has dominated Cleveland this year (3-0, 1.19 ERA in limited sample).
Guardians: RHP Gavin Williams (Regular season: 14-8, 3.76 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 248 K in 184.1 IP; Postseason: 0-0, 3.00 ERA in 6.0 IP). Williams started Game 2 (5 IP, 2 ER, 11 K) and closed Game 4 with a scoreless inning. High-strikeout arm (AL leader in Ks).
Projected Lineups
White Sox (vs. RHP Williams – lefty-heavy look expected):
Sam Antonacci, LF
Kyle Teel, C
Miguel Vargas, 3B
Munetaka Murakami, 1B
Andrew Benintendi, DH
Tristan Peters / Brenton Doyle, CF
Chase Meidroth, 2B
Braden Montgomery, RF
Colson Montgomery, SS
Guardians:
Steven Kwan, CF/LF
José Ramírez, 3B
Chase DeLauter / Jo Adell, RF/DH
Jo Adell / others
Nathaniel Lowe, 1B
Angel Martínez / alternatives, LF
Travis Bazzana, 2B
Brayan Rocchio, SS
Patrick Bailey / Austin Hedges, C
(Exact order subject to final cards; Guardians may adjust outfield given series struggles for some hitters.)
Injury Reports
White Sox:
Prelander Berroa (RP, elbow) – 60-day IL
Joey Bart (C, hand) – 10-day IL
Tanner Murray (LF, shoulder) – 60-day IL
Luis Castillo (SP, shoulder) – 15-day IL
Ky Bush (SP, elbow) – 60-day IL
(Plus others on longer-term IL; no major new absences impacting the active postseason roster significantly beyond listed.)
Guardians:
Rhys Hoskins (1B, back) – 10-day IL
Colin Holderman (RP, wrist) – 15-day IL
Andrew Walters (RP) – OUT
Austin Hedges (C) – Sore right knee from foul tip in Game 4; expected available.
Current Weather Forecast (Progressive Field)
Mostly cloudy with highs in the mid-70s°F (around 72-75°F) during the day. First pitch conditions expected in the upper 60s to low 70s°F. Southeast winds 8-13 mph (gusts possible to 20+ mph). Low chance of rain during the game window; rain more likely later overnight or Sunday. Playable conditions overall.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Sean Burke vs. José Ramírez / Steven Kwan / Guardians lineup: Burke has limited Cleveland well this season and in Game 2. Ramírez (key power/RBI threat) and Kwan (contact/on-base) are central.
Gavin Williams vs. Munetaka Murakami / Miguel Vargas / White Sox power: Williams’ high-K stuff (248 regular-season Ks) faces Chicago’s lefty bats and power (Murakami led Sox with 35 HRs). Williams punched out 11 in Game 2.
Bullpens: Both sides are taxed after high-scoring Games 3-4. Length from the starters will be critical.
Defense/Speed: Kwan and Guardians’ contact approach vs. White Sox athleticism and power.
Recent Team Forms (Series + Context)
White Sox: Took the first two on the road with strong pitching, then dropped two high-scoring home games (bullpen struggled in Game 4). Season series edge 9-8. Strong home-run total (211) but vulnerable when starters don’t go deep.
Guardians: Dropped the first two at home, then exploded offensively in Chicago (18 runs in two games). José Ramírez homered in Game 4. Home record solid; thrive when scoring 5+.
Road teams have won all four games so far—an unusual pattern heading into a decisive contest at Progressive Field.
Series History
Frequent AL Central rivals. White Sox held a slight regular-season series edge (9-8). Postseason history limited; this is a high-stakes rematch of a tight division race. Guardians won the division by one game.
Betting Trends
Road teams perfect so far in the series. High-run Games 3-4 contrast with lower-scoring Games 1-2. Williams’ strikeout upside and home field favor Cleveland slightly; Burke’s prior success vs. CLE offers value on the visitors.
GAME ODDS
Chicago White Sox 7
Cleveland Guardians – 135
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, October 9, 2026
