The Cleveland Guardians are into the ALCS after beating the Tigers 7-3 in a pivotal Divisional Series Game 5 on Saturday.
Cleveland, who is looking for its first World Series title since 1948, went two games without a run earlier in the series as the Tigers went to the brink of moving on.
But the Guardians’ bats woke up in Games 4 and 5 and they’ve advanced thanks to a five-run fifth inning on Saturday.
Cleveland will face the Yankees in the next round.
It’s the first ALCS appearance for Cleveland since 2016.
Cleveland Guardians outfielder Lane Thomas (8) runs the bases after hitting a grand slam in the fifth inning against the Detroit Tigers
On Saturday, things were tight until a five-run explosion in the fifth inning, which primarily came from a Lane Thomas grand slam.
Runs were added in the seventh and eighth innings and Emmanuel Clase got the save following a bullpen start for his team.
The Guardians have made it to MLB’s last four despite having just the 24th-highest payroll in the league this season at about $129million, per Spotrac.
The Yankees, Mets and Dodgers have all spent more than $320million.
More to follow
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