The Cleveland Guardians were staring elimination in the face.
But after a comeback for the ages, they are now just four wins away from the World Series.
Cleveland dropped the first two games of the ALDS to the Chicago White Sox, but the Guardians won three straight games to clinch the series, booking a spot in the ALCS. Now they’ll take on the Tampa Bay Rays, the top seed in the American League side of the playoff bracket.
Here is everything you need to know about the 2026 ALCS.
ALCS schedule and scores
Here is the full schedule for the ACLS between the Guardians and the Rays. All times listed are Eastern.
ALCS Game 1: Monday, October 2
Guardians 7, Rays 3 (Guardians lead series 1-0)
ALCS Game 2: Tuesday, October 13
Rays 3, Guardians 1 (Series tied 1-1)
ALCS Game 3: Thursday, October 15
Guardians 3, Rays 2 (Guardians lead series 2-1)
ALCS Game 4: Saturday, October 17
Rays at Guardians, 8:00 p.m., TBS, truTV, and HBO Max
Note: Game 4 was originally scheduled for Friday, October 16, but was postponed due to rain.
ALCS Game 5: Sunday, October 18*
Rays at Guardians, 5:00 p.m., TBS, truTV, and HBO Max
Note: Game 5 was originally scheduled for Saturday, October 17, but was pushed back a day due to Game 4 being a rainout.
ALCS Game 6: Monday, October 19*
Guardians at Rays, 8:00 p.m., TBS, truTV, and HBO Max
Note: If the NLCS ends after six games, then ALCS Game 6 would move to 8:00 p.m.
ALCS Game 7: Tuesday, October 20*
Guardians at Rays, 8:00 p.m., TBS, truTV, and HBO Max
* If necessary
What happened in the regular season?
The season series between Cleveland and Tampa Bay was a rather one-sided affair.
The teams met for six games, first a three-game set in Cleveland in April, and then another three-game set in Tampa Bay in July.
In the first series, Tampa Bay took the first two games, a 3-2 win to open the series and then a 1-0 win thanks to a strong start from Nick Martinez on the bump. The only run came off the bat of Jonathan Aranda, whose fifth-inning single brought home Taylor Walls.
When the teams met again in July, it was all Tampa Bay, and the Rays won a few different ways. Tampa Bay took the opening game of the set 11-3, getting home runs from Ryan Vilade and Richie Palacios. The second game of that series was closer, but Tampa Bay won 3-0 as again the Rays got a strong start from Martinez, who turned the game over to the bullpen after six scoreless innings and the relievers shut the door.
Then in the final game of that series, Tampa Bay took a 1-0 win as the trio of Drew Rasmussen, Garrett Cleavinger, and Bryan Baker held the Guardians to just one hit.
So on the season, the Rays won five of the six meetings.
ALCS prediction
Things could not be set up better for the Rays.
While the Guardians needed five games to get by the White Sox, taxing the entire pitching staff and setting up a tough decision for manager Stephen Vogt when it comes to a Game 1 starter. Gavin Williams probably has to wait until Game 3, and Parker Messick probably cannot take the bump until Game 2.
Meanwhile the Rays are coming off a sweep of the New York Yankees and have Rasmussen, their ace, in line to start Game 1 on extra rest, and then likely Game 4. That gives Tampa Bay a chance to have him on the hill for three games, if necessary. Plus, the Rays have Junior Caminero set to put on a show, as one of baseball’s breakout stars.
Prediction: Rays in six.