Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Oct 10, 2026 9:10 PM
The Cleveland Guardians play it safe with their starting lineup for Game of the ALDS against the Chicago White Sox.
Everything is on the line for the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday night. Either they’ll beat the Chicago White Sox in Game 5 of the ALDS, or start their offseason earlier than anticipated with a loss.
It’s a win-or-go-home scenario for the Guardians, and this is the starting lineup they’re going with heading into Game 5.
- Steven Kwan - LF
- Jose Ramirez - 3B
- Chase DeLauter - RF
- Jo Adell - DH
- Nathaniel Lowe - 1B
- Travis Bazzana - 2B
- Patrick Bailey - C
- Petey Halpin - CF
- Brayan Rocchio - SS
- Gavin Williams - SP
Oct 5, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan (38) singles against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning in game two of the ALDS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn ImagesAll things considered, there aren't too many surprises with this lineup.
With Sean Burke, a right-hander, starting the game for the White Sox, there was a world where Jo Adell wasn't in the starting lineup and came into the game to face one of Chicago's best left-handed relievers.
However, Adell has hit two big home runs for the Guardians so far this postseason; he needs to start.
Patrick Bailey is back in the starting lineup in Game 5 after not being in the first nine for Game 4. He did come into the game as a pinch hitter and got the scoring started for the Guardians with a solo home run. Bailey has quietly been one of Cleveland's best hitters in the playoffs.
Probably the biggest shock with manager Stephen Vogt's starting lineup is starting Petey Halpin, and along with that, the omission of Angel Martinez.
Halpin is in line to get his first career postseason start as the Guardians clearly value his defense in this matchup. The outfielder had a .594 OPS during the regular season.
Halpin is the player who single-handedly saved Cleveland's American League Central hopes on September 16 with a three-run home run off Sean Newcomb during the Guardians' series win over the White Sox during the final week of the year.
Maybe Halpin still has some more magic up his sleeve for Game 5.
The bigger story is that Cleveland's regular-season home run leaders won't start in an elimination game. Martinez has had a tough go of it against the White Sox. Through the first four games and 15 at-bats, Martinez has just one hit with eight strikeouts.
Martinez may have had a key piece in helping the Guardians get to this point, the postseason about going with the hot bat, and the 24-year-old just doesn't have it right now.
Will this lineup be enough for the Guardians to take down the White Sox and get back to the ALCS?
We're about to find out.
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