A pivotal Game 5 in the American League Championship Series is on deck for the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians.
With the ALCS between the Rays and Guardians tied at 2-2, the winner of Game 5 on Sunday, Oct. 18, will be one victory away from the World Series.
First pitch is set for 4 p.m. from Progressive Field in Cleveland.
Following the game, the series then heads back to Florida for Game 6 on Monday, Oct. 19. There is no off day the rest of the series due to a weather postponement earlier in the series. The World Series starts Friday, Oct. 23, with the winner of the ALCS to meet the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Rays and Guardians have alternated wins in the series. Tampa Bay tied the ALCS in Game 4 from chilly Cleveland with a 7-3 victory by attacking the Guardians' bullpen in their best offensive showing of the series and getting a strong pitching performance by starter Nick Martinez.
In Game 5, former Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Drew Rasmussen, who led the Rays in wins this season, takes the mound for Tampa Bay, while the Guardians will counter with Parker Messick, who boasted the Guardians' lowest ERA among starters. Rasmussen last pitched in Game 1 of the series, while Messick started Game 2.
Here's what to know about the ALCS, including start time for Game 5, where to watch, probable pitchers and an updated bracket.
What time is the Rays vs Guardians game today?
- Time: 4 p.m. CT
- Date: Sunday, Oct. 18
Game 5 of the series between the Rays and the Guardians is at 4 p.m. CT Sunday, Oct. 17, at Progressive Field in Cleveland.
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Where to watch Guardians vs Rays: TV, live stream
TBS and truTV will televise the Tampa Bay Rays vs Cleveland Guardians in Game 5 of the ALCS with Sling a streaming option.
Rays vs Guardians playoff schedule, game times
- Game 1: Guardians 7, Rays 3; Cleveland leads series, 1-0
- Game 2: Rays 3, Guardians 1; series tied, 1-1
- Game 3: Guardians 3, Rays 2; Cleveland lead series, 2-1
- Game 4: Rays 7, Guardians 3, series tied, 2-2
- Game 5: Rays at Guardians, Sunday, Oct. 18, 4 p.m. (TBS, truTV, HBO Max)
- Game 6: Guardians at Rays, Monday, Oct. 19, 7 p.m. (TBS, truTV, HBO Max)
- Game 7 (if necessary): Guardians at Rays, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m. (TBS, truTV, HBO Max)
In best-of-seven series tied 2-2, the Game 5 winner goes on to win the series 67% of the time
— MLB (@MLB) October 18, 2026
Which team will take the ALCS advantage back to Florida? pic.twitter.com/uxf20JVKFa
Rays vs Guardians probable pitchers
- Rays' Drew Rasmussen (16-5 regular season, 2.67 ERA) vs. Guardians' Parker Messick (12-9, 2.56)
Who is in the MLB playoffs?
One team is remaining in the National League and two teams are remaining in the American League (seed in parentheses):
National League
- Milwaukee Brewers (1), advanced to the World Series
American League
- Tampa Bay Rays (1)
- Cleveland Guardians (2)
MLB playoffs format
The format for each round of the MLB playoffs is as follows:
- Wild-card: Best-of-three with lowest seeds hosting all the games
- Division series: Best-of-five with a 2-2-1 format
- Championship series: Best-of-seven with a 2-3-2 format
- World Series: Best-of-seven with a 2-3-2 format
MLB playoff bracket
Here's the full bracket for the 2026 MLB playoffs as of Oct. 17:
National League
See the National League results:
NL wild-card round
Best of three, seeds in parentheses
- San Diego Padres (4) vs. Chicago Cubs (5); Padres win series, 2-0
- Atlanta Braves (3) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (6); Braves win series, 2-1
NL Division Series
Best of five
- Milwaukee Brewers (1) vs. San Diego Padres (4); Brewers win series, 3-1
- Los Angeles Dodgers (2) vs. Atlanta Braves (3); Dodgers win series, 3-1
NL Championship Series
Best of seven
- Milwaukee Brewers (1) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (2); Brewers win series, 4-0
American League
See the American League results:
AL wild-card round
Best of three, seeds in parentheses
- Houston Astros (3) vs. Chicago White Sox (6); White Sox win series, 2-0
- New York Yankees (4) vs. Boston Red Sox (5); Yankees win series, 2-0
AL Division Series
Best of five
- Tampa Bay Rays (1) vs. New York Yankees (4); Rays win series, 3-0
- Cleveland Guardians (2) vs. Chicago White Sox (6); Guardians win series, 3-2
AL Championship Series
Best of seven
- Tampa Bay Rays (1) vs. Cleveland Guardians (2); series tied, 2-2
2026 World Series
Best of seven
- Milwaukee Brewers vs. AL champion
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: MLB playoff TV schedule today, where to watch Rays vs Guardians, time
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