First pitch: 8:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
TV: TBS / truTV / HBO Max
This is Game 1 of the best-of-seven American League Championship Series. The Rays earned the AL’s top seed with a 98-64 regular-season record, received a bye, and swept the Yankees 3-0 in the ALDS. The Guardians (85-77) won the AL Central, overcame an 0-2 deficit to beat the White Sox 3-2 in the ALDS (clinched with a 2-0 Game 5 win on Oct. 10), and flew in after limited rest.
Starting Pitchers
Cleveland: LHP Foster Griffin (regular season: 15-6, 3.60 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 158 K in 172.2 IP over 31 starts). Postseason: 1-0, 3.38 ERA in 2.2 IP (7 K as bulk reliever in ALDS Game 3). Acquired from Washington at the deadline; solid overall but higher ERA after the trade. Expected to work on short rest/limited recent starter workload.
Tampa Bay: RHP Drew Rasmussen (regular season: 16-5, 2.67 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 174 K in 172.0 IP over 30 starts). Postseason: 1-0, 0.00 ERA in 8.0 IP (1 H, 10 K, near no-hitter vs. Yankees in ALDS Game 1 on Oct. 3). Working on extended rest; elite command and form.
Rasmussen holds a clear edge in recent dominance and rest advantage.
Current Rosters (Key Active Players)
Guardians
C: Patrick Bailey / Austin Hedges
1B: Nathaniel Lowe (Rhys Hoskins on IL)
2B: Travis Bazzana
SS: Brayan Rocchio
3B: José Ramírez
OF: Steven Kwan, Chase DeLauter, Jo Adell, Angel Martínez, Petey Halpin
DH options and utility: David Fry, Angel Genao, Daniel Schneemann
Pitching: Gavin Williams, Parker Messick, Tanner Bibee, Joey Cantillo, Cade Smith (closer), Hunter Gaddis, Erik Sabrowski, Tim Herrin, Shawn Armstrong, Daniel Espino, Matt Festa, etc.
Rays:
C: Nick Fortes / Liam Hicks
1B: Jonathan Aranda
2B: Richie Palacios
SS: Jorge Mateo
3B: Junior Caminero
OF: Chandler Simpson, Cedric Mullins, Victor Mesa Jr., Ryan Vilade, Jonny DeLuca
DH: Yandy Díaz
Pitching: Nick Martinez, Freddy Peralta, Griffin Jax, Bryan Baker (closer), Garrett Cleavinger, Kevin Kelly, Steven Matz, Cam Booser, etc.
Injury Reports
Guardians:
Rhys Hoskins (1B, back/lower back inflammation) — 10-day IL (est. return around Oct. 12; status uncertain for availability).
Colin Holderman (RP, wrist) — 15-day IL.
Andrew Walters (RP) — out.
(Additional notes from reports include potential personal absences for others like Emmanuel Clase in some listings.)
Rays:
Shane McClanahan (SP, forearm) — out for remainder of postseason.
Gavin Lux (OF/INF, shoulder) — 60-day IL.
Edwin Uceta (RP, shoulder) — 60-day IL.
Jonathan Heasley (RP, elbow) — 60-day IL.
Jacob Melton (OF, hamstring) — 60-day IL.
(Others like Ryan Pepiot noted on longer-term IL in some reports.)
Weather Forecast
Tropicana Field is a fixed-roof dome, so outdoor conditions do not affect play. Outside forecast for St. Petersburg: Sunny/mostly clear, high around 85°F, low near 71°F, light north winds 5-10 mph, very low precipitation chance. Comfortable evening conditions for travel/fans.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
José Ramírez (CLE switch-hitter, key power/run producer) vs. Drew Rasmussen: Limited success historically (career numbers show Rasmussen has held him in check with few hits across multiple PA).
Junior Caminero (TB, 42 HR, 101 RBI, .276/.360/.524) vs. Foster Griffin (LHP): Caminero’s power from the right side is a major threat; Griffin will need to mix his sweeper/fastball effectively.
Yandy Díaz (TB, high average/contact) and Jonathan Aranda vs. Griffin’s left-handed repertoire.
Guardians contact hitters (Kwan, Rocchio, DeLauter, Lowe) vs. Rasmussen’s elite command and low WHIP (he limited the Yankees to one hit over eight innings).
Speed/defense edges favor both clubs’ styles (Rays baserunning; Guardians “Guards Ball” small-ball approach).
Recent Team Forms
Guardians: Won ALDS 3-2 after trailing 0-2 (recent: W2-0 vs. CHW, W9-5 @ CHW, W9-3 @ CHW, L4-3 vs. CHW, L3-0 vs. CHW). Hot late, but short rest and travel after a late-night celebration. Regular-season offense ranked lower (.239 AVG, 678 R); pitching solid.
Rays: Swept Yankees 3-0 (W4-3 @ NYY, W5-2 vs. NYY, W1-0 vs. NYY). Excellent rest (multiple days off after clinching early). Strong regular season (best AL record, .258 AVG, excellent pitching/WHIP). Home record strong (55-26).
Series History
Rays took the 2026 regular-season series 5-1 (including multiple shutouts). Prior postseason: Rays won 2013 Wild Card; Guardians swept 2022 Wild Card Series. Overall recent edge to Tampa Bay.
Betting Trends
Rays strong as home favorites; Guardians competitive as underdogs this year. Series odds favor Rays significantly. Low-scoring trends common in these matchups and with these pitchers.
Game Odds
Cleveland Guardians 7
Tampa Bay Rays – 165
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, October 11, 2026
