MLB

White Sox special season ends with defeat in Game 5 of ALDS

October 11, 2026

The Chicago White Sox’s historic 2026 campaign, marked by resilience and a rare postseason run, ended abruptly with a 2-0 defeat to the Cleveland Guardians in Game 5 of the ALDS on Saturday. After overcoming a 2-0 series deficit to force a decider, the White Sox fell short in a tightly controlled performance by Cleveland’s rotation, with starter Gavin Williams dominating for 5 2/3 innings, allowing just one hit while striking out 12.

The loss marked the first time the White Sox had dropped three consecutive games since the season began, ending a streak where they never lost more than four in a row during the regular season. Chicago’s offense was stifled throughout, managing only one run off Sean Burke, who surrendered a José Ramírez home run in the fourth, while the team set a postseason record with 21 strikeouts in a single game.

The Guardians now advance to the ALCS after overcoming a 2-0 deficit of their own, while the White Sox become just the second team in franchise history to lose a series-clinching playoff game, following their 2020 ALDS exit to Oakland.