19 hours ago - Sports

October baseball is back in Cleveland

Sam Allard

Colorful mural of two cartoon baseball players fighting on a bright green wall: a red-jersey hitter labeled \"Rez 11\" and a white Chicago pitcher, with the text \"Easy Out\" and \"Down Goes\" on the wall; outdoor seating in front. — The mural by local artist OK Pants debuted on the Easy Out patio in May. Photos: Sam Allard/Axios

Playoff baseball returns to Cleveland on Saturday as the Guardians host the Chicago White Sox in the best-of-five American League Division Series.

State of play: Cleveland raced to the regular-season finish line, overtaking Chicago in September to win its third consecutive AL Central title.

The White Sox made the playoffs as a Wild Card and swept Houston earlier this week.

🗓️ First pitch: Game 1 is scheduled for 1pm Saturday. Game 2 is at 5pm Monday, both at Progressive Field and both televised (annoyingly) on TBS and truTV.

Game 3 shifts to Chicago on Wednesday, with Games 4 and 5 played Thursday and Saturday if necessary.

The intrigue: Chicago won the season series 7-6, but the teams were separated by just one run overall.

Cleveland's elite bullpen and all-star pitching rotation will try to shut down the big Sox bats.

Fun fact: José Ramírez has more career home runs against the White Sox than any other active player in the majors and is 1-0 (KO) against opposing White Sox players.

What's next: The winner advances to face Tampa Bay or New York in the ALCS.

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October baseball is back in Cleveland

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