The Cleveland Guardians apparently have no interest in taking the easy road through October.
After overcoming a two-game deficit in the American League Division Series, Cleveland opened the AL Championship Series with another impressive comeback. The Guardians defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 7-3 Monday night at Tropicana Field, scoring seven runs over the final four innings to steal home-field advantage.
Cleveland collected 14 hits and received important contributions from several players. Chase DeLauter and Patrick Bailey supplied the power, Nathaniel Lowe delivered the decisive hit, and José Ramírez continued his impressive postseason production.
The win extended Cleveland’s winning streak to four games. It also handed Tampa Bay its first loss of the postseason.
Cleveland’s offense refuses to disappear
The Rays appeared comfortable early. Junior Caminero and Jonny DeLuca delivered RBI singles in the first inning, giving Tampa Bay a 2-0 advantage. Rays starter Drew Rasmussen kept Cleveland from generating much offense through the first five innings.
The Guardians have won 4 straight Postseason games for the first time since their 2016 World Series run 👀 https://t.co/6zpIwUKpCy
— MLB (@MLB) October 13, 2026
Then everything changed.
DeLauter connected for a solo home run in the sixth inning, cutting the deficit in half. Bailey followed with another solo shot in the seventh, tying the game and ending Rasmussen’s outing. The Guardians were suddenly back in control of their opportunity.
In the eighth inning, Ramírez reached on an infield single before DeLauter doubled. Lowe followed with a two-run single, giving Cleveland its first lead of the evening. The Guardians added three more runs in the ninth, putting the game out of reach.
Ramírez and DeLauter each finished with three hits. DeLauter’s performance was particularly significant because his home run was the first of his postseason career.
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Rays face huge pressure in Game 2
Tampa Bay entered the series with momentum after sweeping the New York Yankees in the ALDS. Monday’s defeat changed the atmosphere considerably.
The Rays received six-plus innings from Rasmussen but couldn’t protect their early advantage.
Cleveland’s bullpen also played an important role. Five Guardians relievers combined to allow only one run over five innings after starter Foster Griffin exited. That stability gave Cleveland’s offense time to complete the comeback.
Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday night at Tropicana Field. The Guardians are expected to start rookie left-hander Parker Messick, while Tampa Bay counters with Freddy Peralta.
For the Rays, avoiding an 0-2 deficit before traveling to Cleveland will be critical. The Guardians, meanwhile, have another opportunity to demonstrate that their postseason resilience is no accident.
They have repeatedly responded when circumstances looked unfavorable. Monday night was simply the latest example.
