MLB Baseball
2026-10-10 - Chicago White Sox at Cleveland Guardians
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : MLB Playoff Divisional Round Game 5
Saturday 10th October 2026 - Scheduled 8pm EST
1am (British Time)
Preview
Only one of the four Major League Baseball Divisional Round Series has needed a Game 5 to decide the final place in the Championship Series.
The Cleveland Guardians have shown why they were able to hold off the Chicago White Sox and win the American League Central Division by fighting back from 0-2 behind in this Series and levelling it all up. They dropped both games at home, but the Guardians bats came alive on the road and that has forced a return to Cleveland for this decider.
It was all hands on deck for the Guardians as they bid to force a Game 5 and they will be giving the ball to Gavin Williams to start this 'win or go home' contest. Questions are raised by the fact that Williams was tasked with recording the final Outs in the win over the White Sox in Game 4 and he did need 18 Pitches to secure the victory.
Gavin Williams threw 98 Pitches in Game 2 of this Series on the 5th October and so there are going to be plenty of eyes keeping focus on how the starter is performing. The Guardians have not been worried about turning things over to the bullpen where needed, but they will be looking for Gavin Williams to get through the Chicago White Sox lineup at least twice.
There is very limited Playoff experience for Williams to call upon and this situation increases the pressure, but he has played well in the post-season. However, after allowing two runs in Game 2, it does mean Gavin Williams has allowed at least two runs in every start made against this Divisional rival this season.
The White Sox have been using a host of pitchers throughout this Playoff run and they have not been concerned about getting the bullpen warmed up very early. It has been made clear that they feel every pitcher is capable of contributing and that means the starters have effectively been pitching as openers throughout this run.
It had worked to the tune of four straight Playoff wins, but the back to back losses to the Cleveland Guardians will have raised some concerns.
Chicago will give the ball to Sean Burke on Saturday and this is a pitcher who has given them over 9 Innings across two appearances in the Playoffs. Sean Burke started against the Houston Astros and allowed three runs in 4 Innings thrown, but then worked as bulk reliever in Game 2 against the Cleveland Guardians and allowed a single run in over 5 Innings thrown.
The pitcher really played well against the Cleveland Guardians throughout the regular season and the White Sox may need another big effort from Sean Burke if they are going to move through to the American League Championship Series.
Prediction
This has been a back and forth Divisional Round Series and the road team has won all four games played.
Momentum is with the Cleveland Guardians having won two in a row in The Windy City, but the Chicago White Sox will have confidence in the starting pitcher going to the mound.
Sean Burke may go longer than most would expect and he may lay the foundation for the White Sox to avoid becoming the first team to lose a best of five Series after taking a 2-0 lead in nine years since the Guardians did that against the New York Yankees.
The Guardians have come alive at the plate, which makes them dangerous, but Gavin Williams is playing on a short rest and the White Sox have enough power in their own batting lineup to earn the upset.
The Pick :
Cleveland Guardians 3-5 Chicago White Sox
