Guardians force decisive ALDS Game 5 as White Sox miss chance to reach first ALCS since 2005

With three of the four spots in the league championship series already clinched, Thursday night’s White Sox-Guardians matchup was the lone game on MLB’s postseason schedule. It gave Chicago an opportunity to end its long American League Championship Series drought.

Instead, the White Sox came up short, falling 9-5 in Game 4. A victory would have sent Chicago to the ALCS for the first time in more than two decades. The team’s last appearance came in 2005.

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Cleveland’s two fifth-inning home runs powered the Guardians to their second straight win in the series and forced a decisive Game 5 on Saturday.

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Patrick Bailey of the Cleveland Guardians hits a home run during the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox in Game 4 of the American League Division Series at Rate Field on Oct. 8, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois. (Getty Images)

The White Sox started fast, building on their 1-0 lead when Sam Antonacci’s sacrifice fly in the third inning extended it to 2-0.

The Guardians quickly answered, with Patrick Bailey and José Ramírez hitting home runs in the top of the fifth inning.

Cleveland Guardians left fielder Angel Martinez celebrates with center fielder Steven Kwan after Kwan scored during the sixth inning against the Chicago White Sox in Game 4 of the ALDS on Oct. 8 at Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

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Chicago answered in the bottom of the fifth. After Sam Antonacci was hit by a pitch, the White Sox rallied to tie the game at 3-3. A sacrifice fly by outfielder Brenton Doyle then put Chicago ahead 4-3.

That proved to be the White Sox’s final lead of the night.

Miguel Vargas’ solo home run to left field in the bottom of the ninth gave Chicago a chance to mount a comeback. The White Sox put two runners on base later in the inning but ultimately could not complete the rally.

Chicago White Sox designated hitter Sam Antonacci (17) hits a single during the ninth inning against the Cleveland Guardians in game four of the ALDS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois. (David Banks/Imagn Images)

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Game 5 of the ALDS shifts back to Cleveland, with the first pitch scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.