With three of the four spots in the League Championship Series already clinched, Thursday night’s White Sox-Guardians game was the only game on the MLB postseason schedule. This gave Chicago the opportunity to end its long drought in the American League Championship Series.
Instead, the White Sox came up short, losing 9-5 in Game 4. A win would have sent Chicago to the ALCS for the first time in over two decades. The team’s last appearance was in 2005.
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Cleveland’s two homers in the fifth inning gave the Guardians their second straight series victory and forced a deciding Game 5 on Saturday.
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Patrick Bailey of the Cleveland Guardians hits a home run in the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox in Game 4 of the American League Division Series at Rate Field on October 8, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois. (Getty Images)
The White Sox started quickly, building on their 1-0 lead when Sam Antonacci’s sacrifice fly in the third inning extended it to 2-0.
The Guardians responded quickly, with Patrick Bailey and José Ramírez hitting home runs in the top of the fifth inning.
Cleveland Guardians left fielder Angel Martinez celebrates with center fielder Steven Kwan after Kwan scored in the sixth inning against the Chicago White Sox in Game 4 of the ALDS October 8 at Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois. (IMAGINE IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Chicago responded in the bottom of the fifth. After Sam Antonacci was hit by a pitch, the White Sox rallied to tie the game at 3-3. A sacrifice fly from outfielder Brenton Doyle then gave Chicago a 4-3 lead.
This proved to be the White Sox’s last lead of the evening.
Miguel Vargas’ solo home run to left field in the bottom of the ninth gave Chicago a chance to come back. The White Sox put two runners on base later in the inning, but ultimately could not complete the rally.
Chicago White Sox designated hitter Sam Antonacci (17) hits a single during the ninth inning against the Cleveland Guardians in game four of the ALDS for the 2026 MLB playoffs at Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois. (David Banks/Imagn Images)
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Game 5 of the ALDS returns to Cleveland, with first pitch set for 8 p.m. ET.
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