CLEVELAND — The American League Championship Series has become a best-of-three matchup with the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians splitting the first four games.
Game 5 will be held Sunday in Cleveland, where Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen (1-0, 1.29 ERA) takes on Guardians left-hander Parker Messick (0-2, 3.09) in a battle of 2026 All-Star selections.
In ALCS history, the team that takes a 3-2 lead by winning the fifth game has advanced to the World Series 66.7% of the time.
“We’ve got a huge game, another swing game, and it should be quite the pitching matchup,” Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said. “Everything is magnified in the postseason; the big hits, big decisions and the big plays.
“And when you have two teams that are really talented, like we feel both of us are, one play can swing a lot.”
The Rays and Guardians have alternated victories, each going 1-1 at home with one rainout in Cleveland. Both also have scored three and seven runs in their wins, illustrating how close the series has been.
Tampa Bay pulled even with a 7-3 triumph Saturday in Game 4, fueled by a combined six hits, five RBIs and four runs from Junior Caminero, Jonathan Aranda and Yandy Diaz. The Rays also forced Cleveland to burn through seven pitchers.
“Our backs have been against the wall before (losing the first two games in the AL Division Series to the Chicago White Sox), so we’re not going to just lay down,” Guardians pitcher Foster Griffin said. “We feel good with where we’re at.”
Staff ace Rasmussen started Game 1, giving up two runs on homers to Chase DeLauter and Patrick Bailey in six innings on Oct. 12. He struck out seven without a walk over 91 pitches, taking a no-decision in a 7-3 home loss.
Rasmussen went 1-1 with a 1.50 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 12 innings in two starts against the Guardians during the regular season. He absorbed a road loss to Cleveland on April 29, allowing three runs (two earned) in five innings.
“It’s exhausting facing a lineup like this,” said Rasmussen, who is 1-1 with a 2.73 ERA in eight career outings (six starts) against the Guardians. “Their bat-to-ball ability is elite and when they get baserunners on, they can all run. They scrap together, every single hitter in that lineup.”
Messick wasn’t expected to make his next start until the series returned to Tampa Bay, but the Friday rainout put him in play for Game 5. Guardians manager Stephen Vogt noted that using six relievers Saturday made him “need Parker to go for us.”
The AL Rookie of the Year contender pitched five innings in Game 2 on Oct. 13, but was saddled with the road loss despite giving up zero earned runs. The Rays plated three unearned runs thanks to an error by third baseman Jose Ramirez.
Messick is in uncharted waters, throwing a lifetime-high 198 innings and 35 starts this year, including playoffs. He hasn’t been sharp in three playoff outings, walking eight and allowing 20 baserunners in 11 2/3 innings, but has a terrific track record against Tampa Bay.
In five total starts against the Rays in his two seasons, Messick has only given up three earned runs in 31 1/3 innings for a 0.86 ERA.
“I know I’m soaring well above my career highs, but honestly, my body feels great,” he said. “To be able to take the ball in this game shows the confidence the team has in me. It’s an incredible blessing.”
–Brian Dulik, Field Level Media
