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Guardians’ Gavin Williams Starting Game 5 vs. White Sox After Closing Game 4
Williams threw 18 pitches and 12 strikes in relief as Cleveland forced a Game 5, leaving his availability for Saturday uncertain.
On Saturday, Gavin Williams will start the winner-take-all Game 5 of the American League Division Series for the Cleveland Guardians against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field.
Manager Stephen Vogt originally planned a bullpen session for Williams on Thursday, but inserted the right-hander to protect a lead after Cade Smith surrendered a home run to Miguel Vargas and walked Munetaka Murakami.
Williams threw 18 pitches to record the final three outs during Thursday's 9-5 victory; the Guardians face questions about closer Cade Smith, who threw 49 pitches over Games 3 and 4.
Trusting his starter, Vogt said, "We want him to have the ball, and it's his game," noting the game will dictate whether Williams takes it the whole way.
Seeking to complete a comeback from an 0-2 series deficit, the Guardians face Chicago White Sox right-hander Sean Burke in the winner-take-all contest.