Rays take ALCS lead over Guardians, who face Game 6 elimination
The gist
The Tampa Bay Rays lead the ALCS over the Cleveland Guardians, who face elimination in Game 6.
The winner meets the Milwaukee Brewers, who already swept the Dodgers in the NLCS.
How it unfolded
- Oct 15, 2026The Guardians beat the Rays 3-2 in Game 3 at Progressive Field on Petey Halpin's go-ahead two-run home run in the fifth inning and a playoff save from closer Cade Smith, taking a 2-1 series lead.
- Oct 16, 2026Game 4 was scheduled for an 8:08 p.m. first pitch despite inclement weather; Guardians manager Stephen Vogt and Rays manager Kevin Cash said they had a 6 p.m. call with MLB about whether the weather would affect the schedule.
- Oct 17, 2026After a rainout pushed Game 4 back a day, the Rays evened the series 2-2 with a 7-3 win in Cleveland.