With three of the four spots in the league championship series already clinched, Thursday night’s White Sox-Guardians showdown was the only game on the MLB postseason schedule. It gave Chicago a chance to end its long drought in the American League Championship Series. Instead, the White Sox came up short, falling 9-5 in Game 4. A win would have sent Chicago to the American League Championship Series for the first time in more than two decades. The team’s last appearance was in 2005. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you register or place a bet, FOX News may receive compensation. This content was created by a team working independently of the FOX newsroom. Cleveland’s two home runs in the fifth inning propelled the Guardians to their second straight series victory and forced a decisive Game 5 on Saturday. MLB PROPOSES REVERSING THE SCHEDULE TO ITS OLD WAYS, BUT NOT WITHOUT A WILD POSTSEASON TWIST Patrick Bailey of the Cleveland Guardians hits a home run during 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 fast, taking advantage of 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 homering in the top of the fifth inning. Cleveland Guardians left fielder Angel Martinez celebrates with center fielder Steven Kwan after Kwan scored during the sixth inning against the Chicago White Sox in Game 4 of the ALDS on October 8 at Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois. (IMAGES IMAGES via Reuters Connect)THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW: UNFILTERED, UNAPPOLOGIZED AND UNMISSABLE. DOWNLOAD YOUR DAILY PODCAST NOW! Chicago responded in the bottom of the fifth. After Sam Antonacci was hit by a pitch, the White Sox rallied to tie the game 3-3. A sacrifice fly by outfielder Brenton Doyle then put Chicago ahead 4-3. That turned out to be the last lead of the night for the White Sox. 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 were unable to complete the play. 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) OUTKICK IS NOW AVAILABLE ON THE FOX NEWS APP: CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD Game 5 of the ALDS returns to Cleveland, with first pitch scheduled for 8 pm ET. Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.
