After three consecutive games in Cleveland, the American League Championship Series is returning to St. Petersburg, Florida.
The Guardians trail the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 in the best-of-seven ALCS after falling 3-1 in Game 5 on Sunday, Oct. 18, at Progressive Field. Game 6 is set for 8:08 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, at Tropicana Field.
As Game 6 approaches, here are predictions from Beacon Journal sports writers Ryan Lewis and Nate Ulrich.
MLB playoffs: Guardians' problems pile up with season suddenly on the line. Instant reactions
Guardians-Rays ALCS Game 6 predictions
Lewis: The Guardians look like a team in real trouble. After an offensive outburst to save their playoff lives in the ALDS, and then an ALCS Game 1 win, the Guardians haven't scored more than three runs in any game since. The pitching has been terrific, the defense mostly has been solid. The lineup has again lagged behind, and it's again acting as the missing element to their World Series recipe. If Cleveland's offense can wake up at Tropicana Field, they're alive, as they've played their best baseball with their backs against the wall. That being said, the Rays now have the pitching advantage in Game 6, as Freddy Peralta will start for Tampa Bay. Peralta looked fantastic earlier in the series, and the Guardians have to figure out how to piece together Game 6 with Gavin Williams unavailable until game 7. Because of that, I'll take the Rays to close out the series in Tampa Bay. Rays over Guardians, 5-3
Ulrich: Always reserve the right to expect the unexpected with the Guardians, but it should come as no surprise if the end is near for Cleveland's postseason run. The Guardians might be out of playoff magic after squandering a 2-1 lead in the ALCS by losing Games 4 and 5 to the Rays in Cleveland. If the Guardians can force Game 7, they could turn to starting pitcher Gavin Williams, who has been the epitome of an ace this postseason. First, the Guardians would need to avoid elimination in Game 6, and no pitching plan they can devise would be nearly as strong as having Williams. After Game 5, Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said using Williams on short rest in Game 6 is "not an option." Rays over Guardians 5-4
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 vs. Rays predictions. Who wins Game 6 of ALCS?