White Sox just experienced a Guardians fate the Tigers know all too well

In an ALDS matchup between two common Tigers enemies, there was a very obvious lesser of two evils. Even if some of us couldn't find it within ourselves to actively root for the White Sox, everyone in the AL Central was rooting against the Guardians.

Chicago had Cleveland on the ropes, opening with a 2-0 lead in the series that should've been impossible to come back from. Against all odds, the White Sox's endless bullpen games were working, and the Guardians' devil magic seemed to have escaped them.

But, as Tigers fans know all too well, it wouldn't last. José Ramírez, who had been sleeping through the first two games and most of the regular season, woke up right when his team needed him most. He picked up his first hit of the postseason, a double, in the top of the fifth in Game 3, and he was basically unstoppable from that point on.

Cleveland's offense broke out through Games 3 and 4, scoring nine runs in both to Chicago's three and five. With their backs to the wall, the White Sox's pitching staff at least kept their team within striking distance, only giving up two runs, but Gavin Williams took a no-hitter through 5 2/3 innings ... and Ramírez hit this absolutely ridiculous home run.

Tigers fans feels White Sox's pain after Chicago blows two-game ALDS lead and Guardians advance

Per Sarah Langs, the pitch Ramírez saw was less than a foot (0.74 feet, to be exact) off the ground. It was the lowest pitch hit in the postseason since tracking began in 2008.

What can you call that other than devil magic?

The Tigers had their moment in the sun. They finally conquered the AL Central's greatest foe last season, making up for their meeting in the 2024 ALDS with a Wild Card win in 2025. Although they did it away from home, there was something deeply satisfying about watching the Tigers celebrate on the field at Progressive, and watching the Guardians put up a "Congratulations, Tigers" graphic on their jumbotron. (Midwest nice is really something else).

Still, there was absolutely nothing to enjoy about watching the Guardians come back from the most improbable of circumstances to win, and watching the White Sox just ... let them.

The Rays were the winningest team in the American League this year, so we'll have to trust that they get the job done where the White Sox couldn't.

... But you never know with the Guardians.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow