The Tampa Bay Rays are one win away from the World Series after beating the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series. Tampa Bay scored in each of the first three innings and finished with seven hits, keeping pressure on Guardians starter Parker Messick from the start.
Drew Rasmussen delivered the start of the postseason for Tampa Bay, going seven innings and allowing just one earned run on four hits. Cleveland’s best opportunity came in the sixth inning when Steven Kwan and Jose Ramirez both singled, but the rally stalled and the Guardians never pushed a run across.
Game 6 is scheduled for 8 p.m. at Tropicana Field, where the Rays will try to close out the series in front of a home crowd. For fans across the Suncoast, from Sarasota to Bradenton and down through Venice, it’s the biggest night of baseball this region has seen in years. Are you heading to the Trop, or listening from home?
