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‘We Want Him’: Guardians’ Manager Takes a Massive Decision on 27YO Star Just 24 Hours After His Heroics Over White Sox

The Cleveland Guardians are going all guns blazing for the winner-take-all ALDS Game 5, even if that means announcing a starter who closed Game 4 less than 48 hours before.

Yardbarker

Published: Friday, 9 October 2026 at 11:28 PM

Key Things to Know

Manager Steven Vogt named Gavin Williams as Cleveland's starting pitcher for winner-take-all ALDS Game 5.
Williams closed Game 4 with 18 pitches to secure Cleveland's 9-5 win over Chicago.
The 27-year-old right-hander previously struck out 11 batters across five innings in Game 2.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Cleveland Guardians manager Steven Vogt has named 27-year-old ace Gavin Williams as the starting pitcher for the decisive ALDS Game 5 against the Chicago White Sox. The decision comes shortly after Williams closed out Game 4 with 18 pitches to secure a 9-5 victory and cap off Cleveland's comeback from a 0-2 series deficit.

Williams previously struck out 11 batters over five innings during Game 2. With Cleveland's bullpen heavily taxed and closer Cade Smith fatigued, Vogt expressed full confidence in Williams taking the mound on short rest for the winner-take-all matchup.

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