Rasmussen leads Rays past Guardians 3-1, Tampa Bay one win from World Series
Drew Rasmussen allowed one run in seven innings as the Rays won ALCS Game 5 3-1 in Cleveland to lead 3-2. Game 6 is at 8.08am Tuesday, Malaysia time.
The Tampa Bay Rays are one win away from the World Series. Drew Rasmussen pitched seven strong innings and the Rays built an early lead before holding on for a 3-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series at Progressive Field on Sunday, 18 October (US time). Tampa Bay now lead the best-of-seven series 3-2, having won both weekend games in Cleveland after the rain-delayed Game 4 was pushed back.
Early runs and a dominant Rasmussen
Tampa Bay struck in each of the first three innings. Jonny DeLuca drew a bases-loaded walk in the first, Jonathan Aranda singled in a run in the second, and Liam Hicks made it 3-0 in the third with an RBI single after Chandler Simpson led off with a double. Cleveland rookie left-hander Parker Messick never settled, throwing 57 pitches across two innings before handing over to the bullpen.
That cushion proved enough. Rasmussen, who allowed just one hit through the first five innings, gave up a single run in the sixth when Steven Kwan scored after Aranda bobbled a potential double-play ball. He finished with seven innings of one-run work, and Cleveland ended the night without an extra-base hit for the first time this postseason. Tyler Wells struck out Jose Ramirez to escape the eighth, and Bryan Baker worked around a leadoff walk in the ninth to earn the save. Kwan provided Cleveland's highlights in the field, cutting down a runner at the plate and making a leaping catch at the centre-field wall.
Game 4 swung the series
The momentum changed a day earlier. On Saturday, 17 October, the Rays beat the Guardians 7-3 to level the series at 2-2. Nick Martinez allowed one run on two hits over 5 1/3 innings for his first postseason win, Junior Caminero's double off the left-field wall put Tampa Bay ahead in the sixth, and Cleveland's defensive errors fed a three-run seventh. Yandy Diaz then hit a two-run homer in the ninth.
Diaz, Aranda and Caminero combined to go 12-for-28 across Games 4 and 5, the kind of production the Rays had lacked earlier in the series. Diaz is also the only player on Tampa Bay's ALCS roster who appeared in the Rays' 2020 World Series run.
Game 6 and Game 7 in Malaysia time
The series now moves to Tropicana Field in St Petersburg, Florida. Game 6 starts at 8.08pm Eastern Time on Monday, 19 October, which is 8.08am on Tuesday, 20 October in Malaysia. Freddy Peralta will start for the Rays, while Guardians manager Stephen Vogt has ruled out ace Gavin Williams on short rest, so Cleveland are planning a bullpen game, with Slade Cecconi a possible opener.
If Cleveland force a decider, Game 7 will be played on Tuesday, 20 October (US time), which falls on Wednesday morning, 21 October, in Malaysia, with Williams the likely Guardians starter.
The Brewers are waiting
Whoever wins will face the Milwaukee Brewers, who swept the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers 4-0 in the National League Championship Series. Milwaukee clinched with a 6-4 comeback win at Dodger Stadium, with Jake Bauers named NLCS MVP, and will play in their first World Series in 44 years. Game 1 is at American Family Field in Milwaukee on Friday, 23 October at 8pm Eastern Time, which is 8am on Saturday, 24 October in Malaysia.
Key takeaways
- The Rays beat the Guardians 3-1 in Game 5 and lead the ALCS 3-2.
- Drew Rasmussen allowed one run over seven innings; Bryan Baker earned the save.
- Tampa Bay won Games 4 and 5 in Cleveland after the Game 4 rainout.
- Game 6 is at 8.08am on Tuesday, 20 October, Malaysia time, with Freddy Peralta starting for the Rays.
- The winner meets the Milwaukee Brewers, with World Series Game 1 at 8am on 24 October, Malaysia time.
FAQ
What time is ALCS Game 6 in Malaysia? Game 6 between the Guardians and Rays begins at 8.08am on Tuesday, 20 October, Malaysia time, at Tropicana Field.
Who will the ALCS winner face in the World Series? The Milwaukee Brewers, who swept the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-0 in the NLCS. Game 1 is in Milwaukee on 23 October US time, which is the morning of 24 October in Malaysia.
Have the Rays been to the World Series before? Yes. Tampa Bay reached the World Series in 2008 and 2020, losing both times. Yandy Diaz is the only player on the current ALCS roster who played in the 2020 Fall Classic.
Sources: CBS Sports, Yahoo Sports, ESPN, MLB.com, The Boston Globe