Gavin Williams is willing to do whatever it takes to help the Cleveland Guardians win, even if it means shutting the door in the 9th inning of one game and then starting another game two days later. On Thursday, Williams closed out the Guardians' 9-5 win over the Chicago White Sox to even the American League Division Series at two games apiece. Guardians manager Stephen Vogt revealed on Friday that Williams will start Saturday's Game 5. It seems as if Williams' message to Vogt following his Thursday outing may have played a role in the decision.

“It means a lot. I know after the game last night, I was walking by his office and I told him I was ready to go,” Williams told reporters Friday. “Whatever to help the team win, that's what I'm going to do. Doesn't matter the role at this point.”

Williams' approach is respectable to say the least, but it remains to be seen how he will perform on Saturday given what transpired on Thursday. Throwing 18 pitches in just one inning may not seem like much, but every pitch Williams threw in Game 4 was a high-stress delivery. It was a far more taxing outing than a normal bullpen.

However, Williams said he feels good on Friday. In fact, Williams believes having pitched in a “game-like situation” could benefit him in Game 5.

“The body feels good right now. Been in the training room all morning just figuring it. But it's just a normal day really. I throw a pen on those days, and everybody knows it. So there's nothing different.

“Just being able to fill the mound in a game-like situation is even better at that point.”

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Williams was sharp in his first start of the series back in Game 2. The Cleveland right-handed hurler turned in five innings of two-run baseball while striking out 11 hitters. The Guardians did not offer much run support in the 4-3 loss, though. Cleveland combined for 18 runs in Games 3 and 4 in Chicago, so perhaps the ball club's offensive momentum will carry into Game 5.

Cleveland will host Chicago on Saturday night in the final contest of the best-of-five series at 8 PM ET.