Alejandro Kirk sitting against Mariners

The 31-year-old right-hander stated, “San Diego’s been—been incredible for me, and it’s all the way across the country from home... But now I feel like I have a—a second home on the West Coast, so it’s been awesome. And yeah, I hope to—hope to continue.” King holds a $28 million player option ($5 million buyout) for the 2027 season. He’s almost certain to opt out of that and land a multi-year deal with a much higher AAV. While the Padres will almost assuredly love to bring him back, there’s going to be plenty of competition for his services on the open market and they’ll need to ante up in order to put themselves in the mix.

Burke was available in the pen Thursday, but he wasn’t used. That meant the only question for Saturday was whether he’d start or again work as a bulk reliever. He did the latter in the Game 2 victory, coming in during the third inning and allowing one run over 5 1/3 innings.

Bailey didn’t start the game behind the dish but came on as a pinch-hitter for Austin Hedges in the fifth inning. There, he tagged Erick Fedde for a 376-foot (110.0-mph EV) solo shot that got the Guardians on the board. That was the hardest hit ball in Bailey’s career. He then delivered a go-ahead RBI single as part of a six-run uprising in the sixth inning to help the Guardians take control of the game before scoring on a fielding error by Chase Meidroth. Expect Bailey to be behind the dish in another must-win game for the Guardians in Game 5 back at home on Saturday.

Ramírez clobbered a go-ahead 378-foot (103.1-mph EV) two-run homer off of Jordan Hicks in the fifth inning that briefly gave the Guardians a 3-2 lead. He then added an RBI single as part of a six-run rally in the sixth inning. He’ll need more heroics like that if the Guardians are going to complete their massive comeback from being down 0-2 in the series when they play in a critical Game 5 at home on Saturday.

Adell came through with a two-run single off of Grant Taylor during a six-run uprising in the sixth inning, pushing the Guardians’ lead to 9-4. The 27-year-old slugger is now 4-for-15 (.267) with six RBI in his first four postseason contests for the Guardians.

The Guardians entered the ninth with a comfortable five-run advantage, but after a home run from Miguel Vargas and a walk to Munetaka Murakami, manager Stephen Vogt turned to Williams — his presumed Game 5 starter — to close it out. Williams allowed a single to Sam Antonacci before retiring Andrew Benintendi on strikes for the first out of the inning. He then got Kyle Teel to ground into a fielder’s choice before retiring Braden Montgomery on a fly ball to left to end it. Williams needed 18 pitches to get through the ninth which could put his availability to start on Saturday into question.

Messick struck out five batters in the abbreviated outing but also issued four free passes which led to the quick hook in the third inning. Messick walked Munetaka Murakami with the bases loaded to force in a run, then exited with the bases loaded with one out — and one of the inherited runners scored against the Guardians’ bullpen as well. The 25-year-old southpaw got 12 whiffs on 65 pitches in the contest, posting a CSW of 28 percent. It’s unclear if he’ll be available to work out of the Guardians’ bullpen in a must-win Game 5 back in Cleveland on Saturday.

Antonacci entered the game as a pinch-hitter with the bases loaded in the third inning where he delivered a sacrifice fly to increase the White Sox’ early lead to 2-0. He then strolled to the dish with the bases loaded in the fifth inning and was plunked to force in another run, tying the game at 3-3. He also singled off of Gavin Williams in the ninth inning. The versatile 23-year-old will need more of that magic in Game 5 on Saturday as the White Sox will be fighting to keep their World Series dream alive.

Vargas tagged Guardians’ closer Cade Smith for a 386-foot solo shot to lead off the ninth inning, but all that did was pull the White Sox to within four runs at 9-5. Vargas also walked and stole a base during a two-run rally in the third inning, then walked and scored on a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning. The ninth-inning blast was Vargas’ first home run — and first RBI — of the postseason.

Fedde came on with the bases loaded and two outs in the opening inning and struck out Angel Martinez to get out of a major jam. He then cruised through the next three innings unscathed until serving up a solo homer to Patrick Bailey in the fifth inning. He then exited after allowing a one-out single to Steven Kwan. Fedde got three whiffs on 61 pitches on the night, posting a CSW of 25 percent. It remains to be seen if he’ll be available out of the White Sox’ bullpen in a pivotal Game 5 on Saturday.