By admin 
Gavin Williams made MLB postseason history as the Cleveland Guardians completed a comeback against the Chicago White Sox to advance to the American League Championship Series. The right-hander finished the American League Division Series with 24 strikeouts and became the first pitcher to record that total while also finishing a game as a reliever in the same postseason series, according to OptaSTATS.
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Williams’ achievement came during a demanding stretch for Cleveland’s pitching staff. After starting Game 2, he entered Game 4 in relief to record the final out of a 9-5 victory that kept the Guardians alive and forced a decisive fifth game.
Cleveland then turned to Williams again for Game 5 on Saturday. Despite pitching in relief two days earlier, he delivered a dominant start to help the Guardians complete their series comeback.
Gavin Williams of the @CleGuardians is the first pitcher to strike out 24 batters and finish a game as a reliever in the same postseason series in MLB history. pic.twitter.com/a39ZHrPzZM
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) October 11, 2026
Williams struck out 12 batters over 5 2/3 scoreless innings in the deciding game, allowing one hit and two walks. His strikeout total tied the Cleveland franchise record for a postseason game, previously set by Charles Nagy in Game 4 of the 1996 ALDS.
The performance capped a strong series for Williams, who finished the regular season with a 14-8 record, a 3.76 ERA and 248 strikeouts in 32 starts. He also struck out 11 batters in Game 2 against Chicago, although the Guardians lost that contest 4-3.
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José Ramírez provided the decisive offense in the series finale, hitting a two-run home run in the fourth inning. Cleveland’s pitching staff then completed the shutout, limiting Chicago to three hits and recording 21 strikeouts, a postseason record for a nine-inning game.
The Guardians won three consecutive games after falling behind 2-0 in the best-of-five series. Their 2-0 victory in Game 5 completed the comeback and sent Cleveland into the ALCS.
Williams’ performance also highlighted the workload Cleveland’s pitching staff handled during the final three games. His relief appearance in Game 4 and subsequent start in Game 5 gave the Guardians the innings they needed while facing elimination.
Cleveland will now face the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Championship Series, beginning Monday. After his historic performance against Chicago, Williams will be one of the pitchers Cleveland can rely on as it continues its postseason run.
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This story was originally published October 11, 2026 at 6:23 AM.