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It was just two years ago that a hurricane ripped through the Tampa Bay area and destroyed the roof and caused other damage to Tropicana Field. The Tampa Bay Rays were forced to play in a minor-league stadium for home games during the 2025 season as repairs were made. The Rays made a triumphant return this season and could cap that comeback by earning a trip back to the World Series at the Trop either today or Tuesday. Of course, the Cleveland Guardians will have something to say about that. Either way, the Trop will crown an AL champion.
Championship Series Chatter
Rasmussen, Rays Move One Win From Series
Final score: Rays 3, Guardians 1
Series: Rays lead 3-2
Next game: Guardians (TBA) at Rays (RHP Freddy Peralta), today, 8:08 p.m. ET (TBS)
If you hadn’t paid much attention to the Tampa Bay Rays this season, all you had to do was watch Game 5 of the AL Championship Series to figure out how they won 98 games during the regular season. A combination of a strong start, situational hitting and defense helped the Rays toppled the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 to take a 3-2 series lead. The Rays, seeking their first World Series title, can return to the Fall Classic for the third time in franchise history and the first since 2020 with a win in today’s Game 6 back in St. Petersburg, Fla. The Milwaukee Brewers, also pursuing their first World Series championship, are awaiting the ALCS winner.
While scoring a single run in each of the first three innings, the Rays rode ace right-hander Drew Rasmussen to the victory. Rasmussen dominated for seven innings, improving upon his Game 1 performance by allowing just one run on four hits and a walk with six strikeouts. Rasmussen had tossed five shutout innings before the Guardians hit solo homers in the sixth and seventh innings to steal the series opener. But the Rays’ overall brand of ball was on display as Tampa Bay won the last two games on the road.
Yandy Díaz went 3-for-5, while Jonathan Aranda, Chandler Simpson and Liam Hicks each had two hits as the Rays outhit the Guardians 12-5. The Rays put the pressure on the Guardians immediately. Diaz led off the game with a double to center off rookie Guardians left-handed starter Parker Messick, then Ryan Vilade, replacing a struggling Victor Mesa Jr. in the lineup, walked with one out. After Junior Caminero struck out, Simpson beat out an infield chopper to short to load the bases. Messick then walked Jonny DeLuca to force in a run. Ben Williamson opened the second with a single, Diaz had a one-out single and Aranda continued his strong run with an RBI single. Messick, on fumes, struck out Vilade and Caminero to escape further damage, but that was the end of his day following 57 pitches. Simpson started the third inning with a double and stole third before scoring on Hicks’ one-out bloop single to center.
The Guardians’ bullpen and a terrific throw by left fielder Steven Kwan kept the Rays quiet after that, while the bats finally mustered a run off Rasmussen in the sixth. Kwan and José Ramírez had one-out singles to put runners on the corners, then Chase DeLauter had an RBI groundout to first. But the Rays’ bullpen of left-hander Cam Booser and right-hander Tyler Wells set the stage for star right-handed closer Bryan Baker to earn his fifth save in as many Rays wins this postseason.
By The Numbers
46 In any best-of-seven series that was tied 2-2, the team winning Game 5 on the road has won the series 46 of 69 times. In the 2-3-2 format, the winner of Game 5 on the road has won 21 of 28 series.
5 Guardians star right-handed closer Bryan Baker notched his fifth save of this postseason. Had had four career saves entering this season, then had 41 during the regular season in 2026.
4 The Rays had a leadoff hit in each of the first four innings, the eighth time in MLB postseason history that has happened. The record is the first six innings.
Best Moments From Yesterday
Very Glovely
It may have been Sunday, but the defense didn’t rest. There were several standout plays made.
Articles You Should Read
I covered the end of the Yankees’ dynasty. Here is what happens next for the Dodgers. — Tyler Kepner, The Athletic
After 22 years, Attanasio brings World Series back to Milwaukee — Adam McCalvy, MLB.com
