Sean Burke will take the mound for the Chicago White Sox against Gavin Williams and the Cleveland Guardians in a win-or-go-home Game 5 of the ALDS on Saturday. 

While the White Sox took a commanding 2-0 lead against the Guardians in the series, Cleveland has gained momentum by winning the last two games.

If Burke wants to dominate the Guardians in the critical elimination game, he will have to revisit what made him efficient against them all season.

This will consist of him attacking Cleveland with the high four-seamer and cutter mix, providing durability for a gassed bullpen and sustaining elite control while avoiding free passes.

Why Sean Burke needs to rediscover his dominance to take down Guardians 

Across four starts this season, Burke has boasted a 1.19 ERA with 27 strikeouts across 22.2 innings pitched against the Guardians. When it comes to facing left-handed opponents such as José Ramírez and Steven Kwan, he must seamlessly mix in his cutter and breaking ball.

This will give him a better chance of getting ahead in the count while also inducing weak contact. Burke must also effectively utilize his four-seamer by painting it in the top of the zone, which will help to explode above the barrels of the Guardians' hitters. 

With the White Sox's bullpen surrendering 18 runs across the last two games, they have been overworked and will be looking for Burke to protect a depleted pen. 

If Burke is able to replicate the sparkling performance he delivered in Game 2, where he retired 13 consecutive batters, the South Side has a good chance to advance to the ALCS. 

When it comes to control on the mound for Burke, it will be a key factor contributing to his success. Across Games 3 and 4, the White Sox pitching staff accumulated 17 walks, handing too many freebies to the Guardians. 

If Burke can remain aggressive in the strike zone as he has been in the regular season against Cleveland, only allowing four walks, he could be the team's unsung hero. Burke cannot afford to run into unwanted walks that could set up the Guardians with the opportunity to rally, which is exactly what the White Sox want to avoid for Game 5.