Guardians Ride Record Pitching, Ramirez Homer to ALCS

The Guardians ALDS comeback is complete. Cleveland won three consecutive games to close out the Chicago White Sox in five games, advancing to the American League Championship Series. Game 5 ended 2-0 on Saturday, with the only runs coming on a two-run home run by Jose Ramirez.

That narrow margin held because Cleveland’s pitching staff delivered a performance without precedent in postseason history. Guardians pitchers struck out 21 batters in Game 5, establishing a new Major League Baseball record for a nine-inning game.

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A Record Built Over Two Games

The previous postseason nine-inning record was 19 strikeouts, and Cleveland had already set that mark earlier in the series, in Game 3. The regular-season nine-inning record had stood at 20, a total achieved multiple times. The Brewers most recently reached 20 strikeouts on March 26, also against the White Sox.

Against Chicago in the decisive game, the staff went one better. The 21 strikeouts set an all-time nine-inning record, according to MLB.com, and turned a one-swing lead into an unassailable one.

Ramirez Provides the Offense

Ramirez’s two-run homer accounted for every run in the game. Cleveland did not need more. The pitching staff made the two runs stand, closing out the series and eliminating the White Sox from the postseason.

Sabathia and Antonetti React

CC Sabathia congratulated the Guardians on X after the win. Chris Antonetti, the team’s front office leader, cited the club’s resilience in comments after the series.

That resilience was evident in the arc of the series. Cleveland won the American League Central during the regular season, then fell behind before winning three straight to advance.

Next Up: Tampa Bay

The Guardians will face the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALCS. The Rays advanced by defeating the New York Yankees in their division series. Game 1 is scheduled for Monday.

Cleveland last won the World Series in 1948. The current team has taken the first step toward ending that wait, with the ALCS beginning Monday.