Sean Burke

Chicago White Sox right-hander Sean Burke will make the start in Game 5 of the American League Division Series on Saturday night in Cleveland against the division-rival Guardians, manager Will Venable told Scott Merkin of MLB.com. Burke will be opposed by Cleveland right-hander Gavin Williams. The 26-year-old Burke went 11-7 with a 3.34 ERA (3.62 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with a career-high 185 strikeouts and 62 walks in 172 1/3 regular-season innings across 32 outings (27 starts) in his second full season in the big leagues. The former third-rounder in 2021 from Maryland allowed three earned runs with three home runs allowed, no walks, and eight strikeouts in a no-decision in Game 2 of the Wild-Card Series against the Houston Astros on Sept. 30, and then gave up just one earned run with one walk and six strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings for a win in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Guardians. Burke was great against Cleveland in three appearances (two starts) during the regular season, allowing three runs (two earned) with three walks and 21 strikeouts in 17 1/3 innings pitched. The White Sox are hoping his dominance against the Guards continues to help send them to the AL Championship Series to face the Tampa Bay Rays.