Overview
- The American League Division Series is tied 2-2 and will be decided in Game 5 at Progressive Field with the winner advancing to the ALCS.
- Chicago announced Sean Burke will start on short rest after throwing 5.1 strong innings in Game 2 and finishing the regular season 11-7 with a 3.34 ERA.
- Cleveland will start ace Gavin Williams after he closed Game 4 by throwing 18 high-stress pitches, and manager Stephen Vogt said Williams asked for the ball.
- José Ramírez led Cleveland’s six-run Game 4 rally with a home run and three RBIs, and he expects an energized Progressive Field crowd for the decisive game.
- Both managers have signaled an aggressive bullpen approach because of recent workloads and Chicago’s heavy postseason use of relievers, making relief availability a central factor.