Rays one win from the World Series after Rasmussen shuts down Guardians in Game 5
Tampa Bay won 3-1 in Cleveland to lead the ALCS 3-2. Game 6 is Monday at Tropicana Field; the winner meets the Milwaukee Brewers.
At a glance
- The Rays beat the Guardians 3-1 in Game 5 on October 18 to lead the ALCS 3-2.
- Drew Rasmussen allowed one run on four hits over seven innings.
- Game 6 is Monday, October 19, at Tropicana Field; a Game 7, if needed, is Tuesday, October 20.
- The winner faces the Milwaukee Brewers, who swept the Dodgers, in the World Series.
The Tampa Bay Rays are one win away from the World Series. Drew Rasmussen pitched seven strong innings as the Rays beat the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday, October 18, taking a 3-2 series lead.
Rasmussen in control
Rasmussen, a former Milwaukee Brewers pitcher, allowed just one earned run on four hits over seven innings, giving the Rays' bullpen an easy finish. It was the latest strong outing from a rotation that experts picked as Tampa Bay's biggest advantage before the series.
Back to the Trop
The series returns to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg for Game 6 on Monday, October 19, at 7:08 p.m. CT, with Freddy Peralta expected to start for Tampa Bay. Peralta was outstanding in Game 2, throwing six innings of four-hit ball in a 3-1 win. If Cleveland forces a decider, Game 7 will be played on Tuesday, October 20, at the same venue.
The top-seeded Rays swept the New York Yankees in the Division Series and are chasing the first World Series title in franchise history. The Guardians, led by José Ramírez, rallied from 0-2 down against the Chicago White Sox to reach the ALCS and are seeking their first championship since 1948.
Brewers waiting
The AL champion will face the Milwaukee Brewers, who swept the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers to reach their first World Series since 1982. Whoever wins, the 2026 Fall Classic will crown a team that has rarely — or never — lifted the trophy.
Questions people are asking
When is ALCS Game 6?
Monday, October 19, 2026, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, at 7:08 p.m. CT — early Tuesday morning in Pakistan.
Who will the Rays or Guardians play in the World Series?
The Milwaukee Brewers, who swept the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS.
How we verified this story
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