Guardians Advance to ALCS with Game 5 Win

The Cleveland Guardians advanced to the American League Championship Series (ALCS) after defeating the Detroit Tigers 7-3 in Game 5 of the AL Division Series, setting up a matchup with the New York Yankees. Lane Thomas played a pivotal role with a grand slam, as the Guardians overcame Tarik Skubal, a Cy Young Award frontrunner who had not surrendered a run in 24 innings before this game. The Guardians, under first-year manager Stephen Vogt, have surpassed expectations this season. Meanwhile, Kerry Carpenter of the Tigers suffered a possible hamstring injury in Game 4, affecting his performance in the series decider. The Tigers have had a surprising postseason run, energizing Detroit with their unexpected progress. Manager A.J. Hinch praised the vibrant atmosphere at Comerica Park, despite the Tigers' eventual elimination.