CLEVELAND — After splitting the first four games of the American League Championship Series, alternating wins along the way, the Guardians host the Rays in a pivotal Game 5 this evening.
After a rain out pushed Game 4 back a day to Saturday evening, the Rays evened the series 2-2 with a 7-3 win in Cleveland.
With the series set to head back to Florida for Game 6 (and Game 7, if needed) today's winner will be just one more win away from reaching the 2026 World Series where the Milwaukee Brewers await.
First pitch tonight is 5:08 p.m. Follow our live Game 5 updates here throughout the afternoon and evening.
Guardians lineup today vs. Rays in Game 5 of ALCS
This is the Guardians lineup announced for Game 5:
- Steven Kwan, LF
- Jose Ramírez, 3B
- Chase DeLauter, RF
- Jo Adell, DH
- Nathaniel Lowe, 1B
- Travis Bazzana, 2B
- Patrick Bailey, C
- Petey Halpin, CF
- Brayan Rocchio, SS
Rays lineup today vs Guardians in Game 5 of ALCS
This is the Rays lineup announced for Game 5:
- Yandy Díaz, DH
- Jonathan Aranda, 1B
- Ryan Vilade, RF
- Junior Caminero, 3B
- Chandler Simpson, LF
- Jonny DeLuca, CF
- Liam Hicks, C
- Ben Williamson, 2B
- Taylor Walls, SS
Parker Messick vs. Rays
The left-handed Parker Messick is 0-2, 3.09 ERA in three starts this postseason. He's pitched just 11.2 innings in those starts, striking out 14. Messick started Game 2 of this series, which the Rays won at home. He worked five innings and allowed three runs, all unearned, on six hits, two walks and one hit batter. He struck out three. Messick went 12-9 with a 2.56 ERA in the regular season, striking out 193 in 186.1 innings.
Drew Rasmussen vs. Guardians
The right-handed Drew Rasmussen 1-0, 1.29 ERA in two starts this postseason, working 14 innings and striking out 17. He started Game 1 of this series, which Cleveland won. He pitched six innings, allowing two runs, both coming on solo home runs. He gave up eight hits and two walks, and he struck out seven. Chase DeLauter and Patrick Bailey hit the home runs off Rasmussen. He went 16-5 during the regular season with a 2.67 ERA in 30 starts. He struck out 174 in 172 innings.
Cleveland Guardians roster for American League Championship Series
- Here is the Guardians' ALCS roster:
- Catchers (2): Patrick Bailey and Austin Hedges
- Infielders (5): Travis Bazzana, Angel Genao, Nathaniel Lowe, José Ramírez and Brayan Rocchio
- Outfielders (6): Jo Adell, Chase DeLauter, David Fry, Petey Halpin, Steven Kwan and Angel Martínez
- Pitchers (13): Shawn Armstrong, Tanner Bibee, Joey Cantillo, Daniel Espino, Matt Festa, Hunter Gaddis, Foster Griffin, Tim Herrin, Parker Messick, Erik Sabrowski, Cade Smith, Gavin Williams and Slade Cecconi
Guardians vs. Rays ALCS schedule and scores
- Here's the 2026 ALCS schedule:
- Game 1: Guardians 7, Rays 3, Monday, Oct. 12 | Recap | Story
- Game 2: Rays 3, Guardians 1, Tuesday, Oct. 13 | Recap | Story
- Game 3: Guardians 3, Rays 2, Thursday, Oct. 15 | Recap | Reactions | Story | Column
- Game 4: Rays 7, Guardians 3, Saturday, Oct. 17 | Recap | Reactions | Story | Column
- Game 5: Rays at Guardians, Sunday, Oct. 18, 5:08 p.m.
- Game 6: Guardians at Rays, Monday, Oct. 19, 8 p.m.
- Game 7 (if necessary): Guardians at Rays, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 8 p.m.
MLB playoffs: Cade Smith rescues Guardians, helps them regain ALCS lead vs. Rays | Opinion
Guardians vs Rays ALCS predictions
Here are our predictions for Game 5. Here is our pre-series predictions for the ALCS.
What time is the Guardians game today?
First pitch for Game 5 is officially scheduled for 5:08 p.m.
Where to watch Rays vs Guardians Game 5 ALCS tonight
ALCS Game 5 between the Guardians and Rays can be viewed on TBS, HBO Max, TruTV and Univision.
How to listen to Guardians game tonight on radio
Game 5 of the ALCS can be heard on the radio via WMMS (100.7-FM), WTAM (1100-AM) and WARF (1350-AM, Spanish broadcast).
Ryan Lewis covers the Guardians for the Beacon Journal. He can be reached at rlewis1@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Guardians lineup today, score, live updates vs Tamp Bay Rays in Game 5