Cleveland Guardians Advance to ALCS After Defeating Tigers

The Cleveland Guardians triumphed over the Detroit Tigers 7-3 in a winner-take-all Game 5 of their AL Division Series, propelled by Lane Thomas's historic grand slam off ace Tarik Skubal. This victory marked the Guardians' advancement to the AL Championship Series against the New York Yankees, a rematch of their last playoff meeting in 2022. Thomas played a pivotal role, driving in five runs and showcasing the Guardians' resilience after being down 1-0 in the fifth inning. The Guardians, who defied expectations this season under first-year manager Stephen Vogt, are aiming to end a World Series title drought that dates back to 1948. Notably, Thomas's grand slam made him the fourth player in MLB history to hit a go-ahead grand slam in a winner-take-all playoff game. Game 1 of the ALCS is set for Monday in the Bronx.