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White Sox-Guardians ALDS Game 5 FAQ (Sat., 8 ET, TBS/HBO Max)

The White Sox and Guardians will settle their hard-fought ALDS in a winner-take-all Game 5 on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET, with the stakes higher than ever after each team has already won two games on the opponent’s home turf.

This series has been defined by razor-thin margins, with seven of their 13 regular-season matchups decided by a single run and four ending in walk-off victories. The Guardians, who had struggled offensively in Games 1 and 2, have rallied with 18 runs across Games 3 and 4, while Cleveland’s José Ramírez has stepped up to lead the charge.

Meanwhile, the White Sox, a No. 6 seed defying expectations, will look to advance with their unconventional pitching strategy, including Gavin Williams, who struck out 11 batters in just five innings during Game 2 and recorded 248 strikeouts in the regular season.

If the Guardians win, they’ll become the first team since the 2017 Yankees to overcome a 0-2 deficit in a Division Series, potentially ending their 75-year championship drought in dramatic fashion.

The atmosphere at Progressive Field will be electric, as both teams have deep personal connections to this series. The Guardians, who have faced the White Sox 13 times this year, will aim to silence their home crowd after falling short in the first two games.

For the White Sox, this is a chance to reach the ALCS after missing an opportunity to clinch a playoff series at home for the first time since 1906. With the Rays waiting in the ALCS, the winner of Game 5 will earn the right to face Tampa Bay in a high-stakes matchup beginning Monday at Tropicana Field.

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