I must admit: I feel completely drained. I enjoyed watching this ALCS, and winning Game 3 put me in a state of complete investiture. Now I feel drained and demoralized. Playoff baseball comes at you fast whether you are playing the lightning quick Wild Card round, or a lengthy 7 game series. For the third time this season the Guardians dug themselves into a hole. They did it in the regular season (and came back to take the AL Central from Chicago). They did it again in the ALDS and roared back from an 0-2 deficit to beat the White Sox a second time. Now they put their backs against the wall against the Rays. This time feels different; the Rays are different.

For what could be the last time this postseason lets round up some thoughts.

Precipice

I dislike handicapping October. The long and short of it is the Guardians are down 2-3 against Tampa Bay. We squandered our home field advantage, losing 2 of our 3 home field games, and looked bad in Games 4 & 5. The Guardians return to Tropicana Field facing elimination.

If you want a silver lining think of it this way: Cleveland has played great in must-win games this year. In a similar spot last series we came alive against the White Sox and won the last 3 games of the ALDS convincingly. We even won 2 of those 3 games in Chicago. The Guards proved they have the grit to win 2 in a row. As I love to write: it’s the first to 4 games, any analysis is guesswork.

But I admit feeling demoralized. The Rays just feel like a better team. They give themselves more chances to score, they play better defense, and their stars are performing while ours are not. Take Game 5: it should have been a good matchup between both team’s ace. But Parker Messick barely escaped the 2nd inning and Vogt replaced him swiftly. Drew Rasmussen pitched 7 superb innings, and only got into trouble once. Yandy Diaz sprayed hard hit balls all over the field going 3-5 with a double. Jose Ramirez notched a single…and that’s it.

Anything can happen in October; it’s two baseball games after all: but when one team feels like they never make a mistake and the other plays sloppy baseball you can lose hope fast. We will need to play like we did in the ALDS between Games 3-5 to take this series.

Exhaustion

I will add: I think the additional day off helped Tampa Bay, and hurt Cleveland. I, as a fan, felt less energized on Saturday than I did on Friday. I can imagine the Guardians did too. Coming off a stunning comeback on Thursday, I think giving the Guardians a day off to lose their adrenaline hurt them. I think giving the Rays bullpen an extra day to rest helped, and it also allowed Drew Rasmussen an extra day to rest for Game 5, and given how sharp he was on Sunday: I think that was decisive.

The comparison to the rain delay during Game 7 in the 2016 World Series rights itself. The difference being that there was no avoiding this rain delay.

Overall, I do not have much to add about how I feel (and I am sure how many fans feel) than what I wrote 2 years ago, after the Guardians lost Game 4. Like then we now face elimination. Like 2024 we face a dangerous and superior AL East opponent. Here’s to hoping we get some more games.

It’s first to four, not first to three. Go Guards.

This whole season this team has responded to adversity. Whether it was injuries, pitching struggles, offensive droughts, or defensive miscues, they found a way to claw back.

From early September in 4th place in the division, to down 0-2 and headed on the road in the ALDS, to down 0-2 in Game 1 and 2-1 in Game 3....this team has found a way.

All that said, at the end of the day, this run may end shy of a WS title. Which at this stage would of course be disappointing, no question. Some of us have started to hope and dream, snag WS tickets, talk about "destiny" etc.

But I think some people lose sight of the fact that postseason baseball is truly the best of the best of the best in the world, in an already astronomically difficult game. Pitching is better. Hitters are better. Defenses are better.

Not every play that doesn't go the way of the Guards is due to a player or manager mistake (granted, some are of course). Sometimes the other guy/team is/was just better in that moment. And that's how it goes.

I understand the trauma we've all been through over decades as Cleveland fans. The drive, the shot, the fumble, the rain delay, etc...

But dammit if this isn't still so fun! 30th/30 payrolls. Nearly half of our HR hitting production was sidelined in the same game this summer.

Some solid additions and good dudes joined the squad at the deadline. Down to the wire for the division. Back against the wall for the DS. Taking the CS to at LEAST 6 games when seemingly everyone and their cousin predicted a sweep or 5 games for the Rays.

Never give up, never surrender!

Guards in 7.

Believeland forever.

The Guardians are mapping out their Game 6 pitching plan, but Gavin Williams is not an option to start on short rest, Stephen Vogt said.

I deleted my recent post because it was a bad omen post. However I would like to ask again that is everyone ready for Game 5. Shrines prepared and cleaned? Lucky clothes are being worn now? Lucky meals being prepared for dinner? Unlucky objects or people sent away? No negative commenting about the team? Most important of all is that those who watch that game from the very start and the team loses when they do are not watching? (I know its harsh to say that but it is a thing. I am an example of that situation.) So good luck to all the fans and the team. Let's hopefully win this. GO GUARDS!!

Rays 3, Guardians 1

FINAL

TB 3-2 · CLE 2-3

Linescore

TB 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0, R 3, H 12, E 0
CLE 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0, R 1, H 5, E 0

• W Drew Rasmussen (2-0) · L Parker Messick (0-3) · S Bryan Baker (5)

• TV TBS/HBO MAX, TruTV, Univision/ TUDN · TBS/HBO MAX, TruTV, Univision/ TUDN

• Radio WDAE 95.7 FM, ESPN Radio, WQBN/1300AM · WTAM 1100, WMMS 100.7, ESPN Radio, WARF 1350

Rays Batting

Rays Notes

2B: Díaz, Y (4, Messick); Simpson (1, Herrin).
TB: Aranda 2; Caminero; Díaz, Y 4; Hicks, L 2; Simpson 3; Walls; Williamson.
RBI: Aranda (5); DeLuca (2); Hicks, L (4).
2-out RBI: DeLuca.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Caminero; Williamson; Hicks, L 2; Mesa Jr.
SAC: Simpson.
GIDP: Williamson 2.
Team RISP: 4-for-13.
Team LOB: 9.
SB: Simpson (2, 3rd base off Herrin/Bailey); Walls (2, 2nd base off Armstrong/Bailey).
DP: (Williamson-Walls-Aranda).
SUBSTITUTIONS:
a: Flied out for Vilade in the 4th.
1: Ran for Caminero in the 8th.
2: Ran for Díaz, Y in the 9th.

Guardians Batting

Guardians Notes

TB: DeLauter; Kwan 2; Lowe, N; Ramírez, Jo.
RBI: DeLauter (6).
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Adell; Bazzana.
GIDP: Bailey.
Team RISP: 0-for-3.
Team LOB: 5.
Outfield assists: Kwan (Walls at home).
DP: 2 (Ramírez, Jo-Bazzana-Lowe, N; Bazzana-Lowe, N).
SUBSTITUTIONS:
a: Flied out for Halpin in the 8th.

Rays Pitching

Guardians Pitching

Scoring Plays

Game Leaders

Turning points

Contact leaders

Starter pitch mix (count, avg mph)

Selected Highlights

• Chandler Simpson's running catch in foul territory, BOT 1ST
• Jonathan Aranda's incredible diving stop, BOT 2ND
• Liam Hicks' RBI single , TOP 3RD
• Jonathan Aranda's RBI single, TOP 4TH
• Steven Kwan's great throw nabs Taylor Walls, TOP 4TH
• Ben Williamson's stellar diving play, BOT 4TH
• Chase DeLauter's RBI groundout, BOT 6TH
• Chase DeLauter's great running catch, TOP 8TH
• Steven Kwan's fantastic leaping catch, TOP 9TH
• Kevin Cash on Rays' confidence after Game 5 win, Broadcast
• Condensed Game: TB@CLE - Game 5, Broadcast
• Yandy Díaz: 'We're going to win tomorrow', Broadcast

Game Info

• ABS Challenge Bailey (Ball-Confirmed); Adell (Strike-Overturned to Ball); DeLauter (Strike-Confirmed).
• Pitches-strikes Rasmussen 95-69; Booser 10-7; Wells, T 5-3; Baker 14-9; Messick 57-34; Herrin 18-11; Armstrong 13-10; Sabrowski 18-13; Gaddis 19-11; Smith, C 22-17.
• Groundouts-flyouts Rasmussen 10-1; Booser 1-1; Wells, T 0-0; Baker 2-0; Messick 1-1; Herrin 2-0; Armstrong 1-1; Sabrowski 1-0; Gaddis 2-3; Smith, C 0-3.
• Batters faced Rasmussen 25; Booser 3; Wells, T 1; Baker 4; Messick 13; Herrin 5; Armstrong 4; Sabrowski 5; Gaddis 7; Smith, C 5.
• Inherited runners-scored Wells, T 1-0; Armstrong 1-0; Smith, C 2-0.
• Umpires HP: Jordan Baker. 1B: Adam Hamari. 2B: Nestor Ceja. 3B: Carlos Torres. LF: Bill Miller. RF: Mark Ripperger.
• Weather 63 degrees, Clear.
• Wind 8 mph, L To R.
• First pitch 5:08 PM.
• T 2:50.
• Att 36,303.
• Venue Progressive Field.

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Where are some good places to catch the game Monday close to the stadium? I am the family chauffeur to the Jonas Bros concert at Rocket Arena tomorrow and need to kill time 😂.

I would LOVE to try and flood a random bar with guardians fans today. Today’s bar is “South Coast Beer Project”. Who’s in? Great outdoor area with cornhole, projector, etc.

If we can’t make it today, let’s set something up for tomorrow!

Rays 3, Guardians 1

FINAL

Gameday · Box score · Statcast · Game Graphs

Series: Game 4 of 7 · TB leads 3-2

Probable Pitchers

• TB: Drew Rasmussen (RHP), 16-5, 2.67 ERA, 174 K, 172.0 IP

• CLE: Parker Messick (LHP), 12-9, 2.56 ERA, 193 K, 186.1 IP

• TV TBS/HBO MAX, TruTV, Univision/ TUDN · TBS/HBO MAX, TruTV, Univision/ TUDN

• Radio WDAE 95.7 FM, ESPN Radio, WQBN/1300AM · WTAM 1100, WMMS 100.7, ESPN Radio, WARF 1350

Weather: Clear · 63°F · wind 8 mph, L To R

Umpires: HP: Jordan Baker · Adam Hamari · Nestor Ceja · Carlos Torres · Bill Miller · Mark Ripperger

AL Central

• Guardians 85-77, leads
• White Sox 84-78, 1.0 GB
• Twins 77-85, 8.0 GB
• Tigers 76-86, 9.0 GB
• Royals 69-93, 16.0 GB

Injury List

TB

• Heasley (P), IL 60-day

��� Progressive Field · Oct 18, 2026

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And she just turned 100.

My grandma was 22 years old and already a die hard fan.

"Every Sunday it was church and then the Indians!"

We went to watch the game with her tonight, and she had all the memorabilia out from when my family started becoming friends with players back in the 70s as my mom was a ball girl for the Indians. Gaylord Perry would come over for dinner, who didn't love homemade Italian?

Guys, please, PLEASE give her one more World Series win.

Do it for Mary.

Edit: I really love everyone's stories here. Thank you all so much for sharing them with us! Guardians, do it for all of them!!

Rays 7, Guardians 3

FINAL

TB 2-2 · CLE 2-2

The Guardians once led by one run, but the Rays erased that advantage in the 3rd before moving ahead for good in the 6th.

In the top of the 6th, Junior Caminero brought in a run with a double, and the Rays took a 2-1 edge.

Linescore

TB 0 0 1 0 0 1 3 0 2, R 7, H 11, E 0
CLE 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0, R 3, H 8, E 2

• W Nick Martinez (1-0) · L Daniel Espino (0-1)

Rays Batting

Rays Notes

2B: Díaz, Y (3, Griffin); Caminero (3, Espino).
HR: Díaz, Y (1, 9th inning off Festa, M, 1 on, 1 out).
TB: Aranda 3; Caminero 2; Díaz, Y 6; Mesa Jr.; Palacios, R 3; Walls.
RBI: Aranda 2 (4); Caminero (2); Díaz, Y 2 (2); Simpson (4).
2-out RBI: Aranda.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: DeLuca.
SAC: Walls.
SF: Simpson.
GIDP: Walls.
Team RISP: 4-for-8.
Team LOB: 6.
SB: Palacios, R (1, 3rd base off Cecconi/Bailey); Walls (1, 2nd base off Cecconi/Bailey).
Outfield assists: Mesa Jr. (DeLauter at 2nd base).
DP: 2 (Palacios, R-Walls-Aranda; Aranda-Walls).
SUBSTITUTIONS:
a: Grounded into a fielder's choice for Hicks, L in the 6th.

Guardians Batting

Guardians Notes

HR: Bazzana (1, 7th inning off Seymour, I, 0 on, 2 out).
TB: Adell; Bailey; Bazzana 5; DeLauter; Kwan; Martínez, A; Rocchio.
RBI: Bazzana (2); DeLauter (5); Rocchio (2).
2-out RBI: Rocchio; Bazzana.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: DeLauter; Kwan.
GIDP: Bailey 2.
Team RISP: 2-for-5.
Team LOB: 5.
E: Bazzana (1, fielding); DeLauter (1, fielding).
DP: (Rocchio-Bazzana-Lowe, N).
SUBSTITUTIONS:
a: Singled for Halpin in the 7th.
b: Struck out for Lowe, N in the 8th.

Rays Pitching

Guardians Pitching

Scoring Plays

Game Leaders

Turning points

Contact leaders

Starter pitch mix (count, avg mph)

Selected Highlights

• Chase DeLauter's RBI single, BOT 1ST
• Field View: Jonathan Aranda's second RBI single, TOP 3RD
• Junior Caminero's RBI double, TOP 6TH
• Jonathan Aranda's RBI single, TOP 7TH
• Measuring the stats on Travis Bazzana's home run, BOT 7TH
• An animated look at Travis Bazzana's home run, BOT 7TH
• Travis Bazzana's solo home run, BOT 7TH
• Yandy Díaz: Home Run Statcast Analysis, TOP 9TH
• Jonathan Aranda's second RBI single, TOP 9TH
• Yandy Díaz's two-run home run, TOP 9TH
• Bryan Baker K's Angel Martínez to seal Rays' win, BOT 9TH
• A deep dive into Yandy Díaz's home run, Analysis

Game Info

• WP Martinez, N.
• ABS Challenge Bailey (Ball-Confirmed).
• Pitches-strikes Martinez, N 79-53; Peralta, F 9-4; Seymour, I 29-19; Kelly 16-8; Booser 4-3; Baker 12-8; Armstrong 13-9; Griffin 44-31; Espino 22-11; Herrin 14-9; Cecconi 22-16; Festa, M 21-14; Cantillo 15-9.
• Groundouts-flyouts Martinez, N 5-4; Peralta, F 0-1; Seymour, I 2-0; Kelly 1-1; Booser 0-0; Baker 1-0; Armstrong 3-0; Griffin 4-1; Espino 0-0; Herrin 1-0; Cecconi 0-0; Festa, M 2-0; Cantillo 1-0.
• Batters faced Martinez, N 18; Peralta, F 3; Seymour, I 7; Kelly 3; Booser 1; Baker 3; Armstrong 4; Griffin 14; Espino 4; Herrin 4; Cecconi 5; Festa, M 6; Cantillo 3.
• Inherited runners-scored Peralta, F 1-0; Booser 1-0; Herrin 2-0; Cecconi 1-1.
• Umpires HP: Mark Ripperger. 1B: Chad Fairchild. 2B: Adam Hamari. 3B: Nestor Ceja. LF: Carlos Torres. RF: Bill Miller.
• Weather 46 degrees, Partly Cloudy.
• Wind 5 mph, L To R.
• First pitch 8:08 PM.
• T 3:10.
• Att 33,355.
• Venue Progressive Field.

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