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The Cleveland Guardians defeated the Chicago White Sox 9-3 in Game 3 of the ALDS, forcing a decisive Game 5. Jose Ramirez starred for Cleveland, while the White Sox seek their first home postseason series win since 1906.
The Cleveland Guardians defeated the Chicago White Sox by a score of 9-3 on Wednesday, narrowing the American League Division Series (ALDS) to one game. The loss forces a Game 5, which will be played in Cleveland, after the White Sox had held a two-game lead in the best-of-five series.
The Guardians entered the game trailing 2-0 but secured a decisive victory behind the performance of Jose Ramirez. Ramirez doubled, stole third base, and scored on an infield grounder in the fifth inning. He also made a defensive stop in the sixth inning with the bases loaded and two outs.
"That made it a Jose Ramirez game," said Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan.
Ramirez expressed confidence in his team's ability to compete on the road. "We came here to compete," Ramirez said. "That’s what [the Sox] did when they weren’t at home. They won two games. We can do it, too."
Guardians pitcher Gavin Williams, the American League strikeout champion, indicated the team's morale is high following the win. "I would say our confidence is at a 10 [out of 10]," Williams said. "It better be a 10."
The White Sox are attempting to clinch a postseason series at home for the first time since the 1906 World Series. The team has not won a playoff series in Chicago since that year, despite winning World Series titles in 1917 and 2005. The 2005 championship team clinched series in Boston, Anaheim, and Houston.
This season marks a significant turnaround for the White Sox, who are the fourth team in history to reach the postseason the year after losing 100 games. They are the only team to achieve this after losing 100 or more games in three consecutive seasons.
Ahead of Game 3, White Sox manager Will Venable adjusted the batting order, moving Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami from the cleanup spot to the No. 3 position. Miguel Vargas batted second, and Sam Antonacci remained the leadoff hitter.
Murakami, in his first MLB postseason, has recorded four hits, one home run, and three RBIs in 16 at-bats across four games. He was named an All-Star during his debut MLB season.
The series outcome determines which team advances to the American League Championship Series. The White Sox hold a historical statistical advantage, as approximately 90% of major league teams leading 2-0 in a best-of-five series have advanced. However, the Guardians' victory in Game 3 has shifted momentum, setting up a winner-take-all game in Cleveland.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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