Cleveland Guardians right-hander Gavin Williams will start Game 5 of the American League Division Series on Saturday after pitching in relief during Thursday’s Game 4, manager Stephen Vogt announced. Williams, 27, threw 18 pitches to secure the victory and force a decisive game. He previously started Game 2, throwing 98 pitches over five innings.
Chicago will counter with right-hander Sean Burke, who started Game 2 and would have entered Game 4 if the White Sox had tied the game. Both teams' bullpens are heavily taxed. Cleveland’s Cade Smith pitched in Games 3 and 4 despite holding large leads, raising questions about his availability for Game 5.
Chicago’s Grant Taylor was tagged for four runs without recording an out in Game 4 after throwing 67 pitches across three outings. Scoring has increased as hitters face tired arms with greater familiarity. The winner will face the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL Championship Series, beginning Monday.
Both managers emphasized that all hands will be on deck for the winner-take-all finale.
Source: ESPN MLB · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing