It took three consecutive wins to erase an early series deficit against the Chicago White Sox, but the Cleveland Guardians are heading to the American League Championship Series.
The Guardians won the decisive Game 5 of their divisional round matchup with the White Sox on Saturday night, riding a masterful outing from starting pitcher Gavin Williams and a go-ahead two-run home run in the fourth inning by Jose Ramirez to a series -- and bragging rights -- clinching victory.
And after the result went final, Cleveland made sure to get in some extra jabs.
Receipts at the ready, the Guardians pulled up a post from when their squad was working out at Chicago's Rate Field ahead of Game 3, then trailing the series 2-0. The soundtrack provided by the stadium's speakers? "End of The Road" by Boyz II Men.
The Guardians' account countered after they completed the comeback -- saying that it was time to play Semisonic's "Closing Time."
We've got "Closing Time" queued up on TouchTunes.
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) October 11, 2026
That wasn't all from the Guardians. They also posted a graphic of dirty socks in a laundry bin with the caption, "already got rid of some Sox, might need to toss the rest too," added a Spirit Halloween banner to Rate Field and posted a video of a 'L' train decorated with a "stand guard" message. Meanwhile, the team took the trolling to the clubhouse -- imitating the White Sox's pregame ritual during their celebrations.
Cleveland will now move on to face the Tampa Bay Rays with a spot in the World Series on the line, with first pitch of Game 1 set for Monday night at 8 p.m. ET.
