The Cleveland Guardians weren’t ready to go home yet, busting out for a 9-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday to force a Game 4 in their Division Series. The White Sox still hold a 2-1 series lead, but man, did they let a huge opportunity slip through their fingers in front of what had to be a absolutely buzzing home crowd.
Adell’s Clutch Bomb Sent Cleveland Wild
If you just watched the highlight, you know who the hero was. Jo Adell, who the Guardians snagged from the Angels before the trade deadline for Double-A catcher Jacob Cozart, became an RBI machine for Cleveland. He racked up a 108 OPS+ and 32 RBIs in 48 regular season games! But he absolutely shined when it mattered most. We saw it in Game 2 with an eighth-inning RBI triple that almost went out. Then in Game 3, with the score tied 1-1, bases loaded and two outs, Adell stepped up. What did he do? Another triple, driving home three runs and blowing the game open to a 4-1 Guardians lead. That monster hit shifted Cleveland’s win probability from 52.8% to 78.8% instantly. That was the biggest swing in the game, a truly monumental moment! He even became just the 16th player in postseason history to triple in back-to-back games, according to Sarah Langs. This dude is clutch, plain and simple.
Chicago’s Missed Chances Are Gonna Haunt Them
Meanwhile, the White Sox? Oh man, they had their chances. So many chances to put up a crooked number and really take control, especially playing in front of an electric crowd ready to clinch their first postseason series at home since way back in 1906. Think about that, 1906! But it just didn’t happen. In the first inning, Sam Anonacci walked and Miguel Vargas singled, putting two runners on with no outs. Kyle Teel then doubled, but Vargas got held at third. Then Chase Meidroth and Tristan Peters struck out, leaving two guys stranded. Ouch. It happened again in the fourth when Meidroth and Peters started with consecutive doubles, only for the next three hitters to get retired, resulting in just one run. The fifth inning started with Anton, and you just know there were more missed opportunities there based on how the article cut off! They just couldn’t capitalize, and it opened the door for Adell to slam it shut on them, at least for one more game.
So now, it’s on to Game 4 on Thursday. The White Sox are still up 2-1 in the series, but you gotta wonder if those missed chances, especially in front of that historical home crowd, are going to mess with their heads. Can Cleveland keep this momentum going and force a Game 5? Or will Chicago finally get their act together and close it out? We’re about to find out!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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