Rays open scoring in ALCS Game 2 vs Guardians thanks to critical Jose Ramirez error appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Tampa Bay Rays watched Game 1 of the American League Championship Series fall through their grasp in Tropicana Field on Monday. A 2-0 lead descended into an ugly 7-3 loss, as the Cleveland Guardians scored all their runs in the final four innings. In Game 2, the AL East division winners are staying composed and allowing their opponents to combust.
Guardians great and 2026 playoffs dynamo Jose Ramirez failed to field a Victor Mesa Jr. ground ball with two outs in the fourth inning, allowing Tampa Bay to strike first. Trade deadline addition Liam Hicks made Cleveland pay even more for the error, lifting the Rays to a 3-0 lead after notching a two-run single.
The Rays take a 1-0 lead over the Guardians after Jose Ramirez’ error at third base 👀 pic.twitter.com/IIGL0kBkIN
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— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 14, 2026
The Guards have been known to rattle opponents by just putting the ball into play, but the Rays have proven that they can execute that brand of baseball as well as anyone in 2026. They struck out the fewest number of times during the regular season (1,145) and posted an AL-best .258 batting average. Contact prowess can give way to defensive mishaps.
The best teams maximize those opportunities, and that is exactly what Tampa did following the Ramirez blunder. Hicks, who only had one playoff hit entering Tuesday’s matchup, muscled the ball into right center field. He made an undeniable impact for the Rays in the second half of the season, and now he is getting in on the October heroics.
Tampa Bay did its job against stellar rookie Parker Messick, but Kevin Cash’s ballclub can gain valuable confidence by breaking through versus the Guardians’ impressive bullpen.
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