The Chicago White Sox need Sean Burke to stop the Cleveland Guardians from turning their ALDS comeback into a trip to the next round. In Saturday’s win-or-go-home ALDS Game 5, no player carries a more important assignment.

The series stands tied at 2-2 after the Guardians answered consecutive home losses with 9-3 and 9-5 victories in Chicago. Their offense scored 18 runs across those wins, exposing the pitching problems the White Sox must solve.

That makes Burke the central figure. His job is to keep the Guardians from building another big inning while providing Chicago’s hitters a manageable scoring target.

Sean Burke gives White Sox their best chance to regain control

The 26-year-old right-hander already delivered against this lineup in Game 2, allowing one run and one hit over 5 1/3 innings while striking out six.

That outing helped the White Sox secure a narrow 4-3 victory. It also provides a stronger foundation for confidence than simply hoping Cleveland’s bats cool off.

Burke posted a 2-0 record and 1.04 ERA vs. the Guardians during the regular season. Those results support the matchup, although familiarity cuts both ways. Cleveland has another opportunity to adjust. The relevant question is whether he can reproduce that execution under elimination pressure.

Chicago cannot treat his previous success as protection against poor execution. The White Sox issued 17 walks across Games 3 and 4. Giving away baserunners makes even well-placed singles more damaging and forces pitchers to work through traffic.

Burke must attack the strike zone without leaving hittable pitches over the plate. Getting ahead would let him pursue outs on his terms instead of repeatedly throwing predictable pitches to avoid another walk.

Efficient innings would also give manager Will Venable more flexibility when choosing where to use his relievers.

Guardians must force Burke out before he settles in

For Cleveland, the counter is patience with purpose. The Guardians have to punish mistakes while making Burke earn outs, rather than chase pitches because their offense has found success.

Article Continues Below

Jose Ramirez remains an obvious threat after homering in Game 4. Burke cannot let avoiding one dangerous hitter create opportunities for everyone around him.

The White Sox also need more production at the plate against Gavin Williams, Cleveland’s Game 5 starter. Chicago cannot count on his Game 4 relief appearance to dull his effectiveness, and Burke will need run support regardless of how well he pitches.

That is the limit of calling one player decisive. Timely hitting, defense and bullpen execution still matter.

Nevertheless, Burke controls Chicago’s most urgent problem. A strong start could keep the White Sox competitive long enough for one timely swing to matter. An early collapse would hand Cleveland another opening.

Burke cannot win Game 5 alone, but he can put the White Sox in position to reach their first ALCS since 2005, when Chicago went on to win the World Series.