The Cleveland Guardians started the ALDS with back-to-back home losses, forcing two must-win games to keep their series alive. The Guardians responded, with their offense playing as well as it has all season, to earn two straight wins. 

To complete the comeback and move on to the ALCS, Cleveland will need to win Game 5 back at home. The Guardians will have Gavin Williams on the mound, while the Chicago White Sox will call on Sean Burke.

Williams had a great start in Game 2, going five innings, allowing four hits, three walks, and two earned runs, and striking out 11. However, Cleveland's offense couldn't back up the strong start, and the Guardians fell 4-3.

The Guardians can not replicate that performance if they want to keep their season alive. The game will come down to Cleveland getting to Burke early and getting runs on the board.

Burke was the best starting pitcher in Chicago's rotation this season, posting a 3.34 ERA with 185 strikeouts and a 1.195 WHIP. 

Cleveland has struggled against Burke throughout the 2026 season. Across three regular-season matchups, Burke went 2-0, posting a 1.04 ERA with 21 strikeouts and a 1.154 WHIP.

In Game 2 of the ALDS, Burke pitched the bulk of the innings for the White Sox and continued his dominance against the Guardians' lineup. He went 5.1 innings, allowing one hit, one walk, and an earned run while striking out seven.

The numbers don't get better when looking at how Cleveland's best hitters have done against Burke.

Star third baseman José Ramírez, who has heated up in the last two games, is 0-for-8 with three strikeouts and two walks in his regular-season plate appearances against Burke. He went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts in Game 2 against Burke.

Steven Kwan and Jo Adell have had some success against the 26-year-old starter. Kwan is 4-for-13 with two doubles and a triple against Burke in the regular season, but was 0-for-2 in Game 2. Adell is 2-for-7 against him in the regular season, but went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts in Game 2.

The Guardians will need Kwan, Adell, Ramírez, and others in the lineup to step up against Burke to advance to the ALCS. While Cleveland's offense has historically struggled against Burke, their bats have been hot the last two games, giving them a chance to pull off a 2-0 comeback.