2005 American League Championship Series

File:AL Championship Series 2005 Logo.gif

The 2005 American League Championship Series (ALCS), the second round of the 2005 American League playoffs, matches the Central Division champion Chicago White Sox against the Western Division champion Los Angeles Angels. The White Sox, by virtue of having the best record in the AL during the 2005 season, have the home field advantage.

The two teams were victorious in the AL Division Series (ALDS), with the White Sox defeating the defending World Champion and wild card qualifier Boston Red Sox 3 games to 0, and the Angels defeating the Eastern Division champion New York Yankees 3 games to 2. The winner will become the American League champion, and will face the National League champion in the 2005 World Series.

Umpires: Jerry Crawford, Doug Eddings, Ted Barrett, Ron Kulpa, Ed Rapuano, Randy Marsh

Television FOX: Joe Buck, Tim McCarver, and special guest in the booth Lou Piniella

Matchups

Game times are in Eastern Daylight Time. All games on FOX.

Game	Score	Date	Time
1	Los Angeles 3, Chicago 2
2	Chicago 2, Los Angeles 1
3	Chicago 5, Los Angeles 2
4	Chicago 8, Los Angeles 2
5	Chicago at Los Angeles	October 16, 2005	7:35 pm
6†	Los Angeles at Chicago	October 18, 2005	8:05 pm
7†	Los Angeles at Chicago	October 19, 2005	8:05 pm

† if necessary

As a result of the 2005 All-Star Game played in Detroit, Michigan at Comerica Park on July 12, the American League champion will have home field advantage in the World Series, scheduled to begin on October 22.

Game 1, October 11

In the series opener, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim won 3-2 in their third game in as many nights, and in as many cities.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Los Angeles	0	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	7	1
Chicago	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	7	0
WP: Paul Byrd (1-0) . LP: José Contreras (0-1) . SV: Francisco Rodríguez (1).
HRs: LAA – Garret Anderson (1) ; CHW – Joe Crede (1).

Game 2, October 12

Behind a complete game from Mark Buerhle and with the aid of a controversial call in the bottom of the ninth, the White Sox evened the series at a game a piece.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Los Angeles	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	5	3
Chicago	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	2	7	1
WP: Mark Buehrle (1-0) . LP: Kelvim Escobar (0-1).
HR: LAA – Robb Quinlan (1).

Game 3, October 14

Paul Konerko's three-run homer in the first inning provided a Chicago lead that the Angels could never overcome, despite a two-run home run by Orlando Cabrera in the sixth, as the White Sox take the series lead, 2 games to 1.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Chicago	3	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	5	11	0
Los Angeles	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	2	4	0
WP: Jon Garland (1-0). LP: John Lackey (0-1).
HRs: CHW – Paul Konerko (1); LAA – Orlando Cabrera (1).

Game 4, October 15

Freddie Garcia pitched the White Sox' third straight complete game and Paul Konerko and A.J. Pierzynski homered to put the South Siders one win from their first World Series visit since 1959.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Chicago	3	0	1	1	1	0	0	2	0	8	8	1
Los Angeles	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	6	1
WP: Freddy García (1-0). LP: Ervin Santana (0-1) .
HRs: CHW – Paul Konerko (2), A.J. Pierzynski (1).

Most Valuable Player (MVP)

The series MVP will be announced following the final game of the series.