Cleveland Guardians Advance to ALCS After Victory

Lane Thomas delivered a pivotal grand slam in the fifth inning, leading the Cleveland Guardians to a 7-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers in Game 5 of the AL Division Series, thereby advancing to the AL Championship Series against the New York Yankees. Thomas drove in a total of five runs, showcasing his aggressive batting style that has paid off in crucial moments throughout the postseason. The Guardians capitalized on a rare lapse from likely Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, who had gone 24 consecutive innings without allowing a run before conceding five runs in the fifth. Cleveland's bullpen, known for its reliability, held strong to secure the win despite a late-inning threat from the Tigers. This marks the Guardians' first trip to the ALCS since 2016, aiming to break a World Series title drought that dates back to 1948. Game 1 of the ALCS is set for Monday at Yankee Stadium.