Overview
- The Guardians clinched the American League Division Series with a 2-0 Game 5 victory at Progressive Field, completing a 3-2 comeback after falling behind 0-2 in the best-of-five series.
- José Ramírez supplied the only offense with a two-run homer in the fourth inning that gave Cleveland a lead it would not relinquish.
- Gavin Williams started Game 5 two days after closing Game 4 and dominated, striking out 12 over 5 2/3 scoreless innings while tying the franchise single-game playoff strikeout mark.
- Cleveland used multiple relievers extensively across the five games and closer Cade Smith recorded a five-out save, leaving several key arms short on rest entering the ALCS.
- The Guardians will travel to face the top-seeded Tampa Bay Rays on Monday, a quick turnaround that hands the Rays home-field advantage and a better-rested rotation for Game 1.