This is definitely not a pretty playoff series. But I’ll give it this: at least it’s going the distance and providing us with baseball to fill the time between now and the League Championship Series. While the Braves and Padres folded in four to the Dodgers and Brewers, and the Yankees got unceremoniously dusted by the Rays, the Guardians fought back from down 0-2 and going on the road to win two in Chicago and force a decisive fifth game.
If the Guardos pull off the comeback, it’ll be the first in
the Division Series since the 2017 Yankees turned the trick at Cleveland’s expense. It’ll also be just the third ever in a best-of-five where the team lost the first two games at home, joining the 2001 Yankees and 2012 Giants. If the White Sox survive, however, then they’ll play for their first pennant since 2005.
I’ll just repeat what I said the other day about these two likely hapless teams: Yes, I’m hoping for a miracle in the ALCS and that one of these underwhelming AL Central teams can pull off an upset over Tampa Bay. Baseball’s a silly sport. You never know! (I have far more hope in Cleveland making it a series than Chicago since I don’t think the White Sox have any remotely rested pitchers, but we’ll see what happens.
Today’s Matchup:
American League Division Series Game 5
Cleveland Guardians vs. Chicago White Sox(winner-take-all)
Time: 8:00 p.m. EST
TV: TBS/HBO Max, TruTV, Univision
Venue: Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH
