MLB3 hours ago2 minute read

Tampa Bay Awaits Tired Guardians in ALCS Clash

Cleveland enters the ALCS on little sleep after a Game 5 win, while rested Tampa Bay prepares Drew Rasmussen for Game 1.

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Exhausted Cleveland heads to Florida

The Cleveland Guardians had little time to rest after defeating the Chicago White Sox in Game 5. After celebrating into the early morning hours on Sunday, the squad took a flight to St. Petersburg to open the American League Championship Series.

Sleep was hard to come by for the travel weary roster. Shortstop Brayan Rocchio estimated he slept for only 30 minutes on the plane. Manager Stephen Vogt announced right before Sunday workout that Foster Griffin will start Game 1. Griffin threw 2 and 2/3 innings out of the bullpen during the division series.

Rays well rested and ready

While Cleveland dealt with quick turnaround times, Tampa Bay enjoyed four days of rest. The Rays clinched their spot on Wednesday in New York. Manager Kevin Cash decided on his starter early, sending Drew Rasmussen to the mound on eight days of rest.

Rays pitcher Griffin Jax spent Saturday evening at home watching Cleveland finish off Chicago. Jax explained that rest helps after a long schedule of 162 games, though he acknowledged the debate between rest and rust. Meanwhile, Cash confirmed that injured pitcher Shane McClanahan will remain shut down for the rest of the postseason.

Familiar faces on both sides

The two franchises know each other very well. Cash worked in Cleveland before taking the Rays job, while Vogt played for Tampa Bay in 2012. Rays designated hitter Yandy Diaz also spent time in Cleveland, and Guardians first baseman Nathaniel Lowe began his career with the Rays.

Rays hitter Junior Caminero will face the club that signed him when he turned 16 years old in 2019. Cleveland later traded him to Tampa Bay for Tobias Myers. Caminero joked during Sunday practice that his former team would pay.

What it means for the next game

Cleveland Guardians at Tampa Bay Rays (MLB, Tue, 13 Oct): Tampa Bay Rays win 55%, Cleveland Guardians win 45%; projected score Tampa Bay Rays 4, Cleveland Guardians 3. Our safest pick: Guardians +3.5.

Cleveland Guardians at Tampa Bay Rays (MLB, Wed, 14 Oct): Tampa Bay Rays win 47%, Cleveland Guardians win 53%; projected score Tampa Bay Rays 4, Cleveland Guardians 4. Our safest pick: Guardians +2.5.