The Guardians vs Rays ALCS Game 2 matchup is set for Tuesday, Oct. 13 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, with Cleveland holding a 1-0 series lead after taking the opener 7-3. First pitch is scheduled for 8 p.m.
ET, with Tampa Bay looking to even the series on its home turf after dropping Game 1. The biggest question entering the night is whether the Rays’ pitching staff, the strength that carried them to the American League‘s top seed, can slow down a Guardians lineup that is riding momentum from a comeback ALDS win over the White Sox.
ALCS Game 2 Information
- Date: Tuesday, Oct. 13
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Venue: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
- TV/Streaming: TBS, truTV, ERADM
- Series: ALCS – Cleveland leads 1-0
Who Are The Probable Starting Pitchers?
Tampa Bay is projected to hand the ball to Freddy Peralta, who enters with a 1.93 ERA and no decisions yet this postseason. Cleveland is expected to counter with Parker Messick, who carries a 5.40 ERA and a 1-0 record so far in October, according to ESPN‘s official data. Cleveland’s rotation got a boost in Game 1 from D.
Rasmussen, who threw eight scoreless innings with just one hit allowed, 10 strikeouts and two walks. That followed a Game 1 ALDS outing against the Yankees in which Rasmussen worked 7 2/3 hitless innings, a performance detailed by MLB.com.
How Have The Rays And Guardians Been Playing?
Tampa Bay finished the regular season 98-64, won the AL East over the Yankees and entered the ALCS as the No. 1 seed in the league. The Rays have dropped two of their last five games, including Tuesday’s Game 1 loss to Cleveland, though they beat New York three times in their final head-to-head series of the year. Cleveland finished 85-77 and claimed the No. 2 seed after rallying from an 0-2 deficit to beat the White Sox in five games in the ALDS, a stretch detailed in Total Apex Sports’ coverage of the Guardians’ Game 5 ALDS win. Cleveland has won four of its last five games, a run that MLB.com said showed the club’s resilience heading into the series.
What Is The Injury Situation For Both Teams?
Tampa Bay is without starting pitcher Shane McClanahan, who is out with left forearm soreness, according to ESPN’s official data. Outfielders Gavin Lux and Jacob Melton remain on the 60-day injured list with a left shoulder issue and a right hamstring strain, respectively, and relievers Edwin Uceta and Jonathan Heasley are also on the 60-day IL. Cleveland placed first baseman Rhys Hoskins on the 10-day IL on Oct. 12 with back inflammation. Reliever Colin Holderman is on the 15-day IL following right wrist surgery, and reliever Andrew Walters remains out after right elbow surgery.
Guardians Outlook
Cleveland has drawn 27 walks through five postseason games, a patient approach reflected in the team’s .330 on-base percentage. The lineup is led at the plate this season by Chase DeLauter, who hit .287, while Angel Martinez topped the club with 18 home runs and Brayan Rocchio drove in a team-high 73 runs during the regular season. José Ramírez remains Cleveland’s star at third base. The pitching staff has racked up 75 strikeouts over 45 innings this postseason, a 15.0 strikeouts-per-nine mark, but the group also carries a 3.00 ERA and has issued 21 walks, numbers that will matter against a deep Rays lineup.
Rays Outlook
Tampa Bay’s staff has been the story of its postseason run, posting a 1.67 team ERA and a 0.70 WHIP with 31 strikeouts over 27 innings. Opponents are hitting just .130 against Rays pitching this October. Offensively, Chandler Simpson led the club with a .306 batting average in the regular season, while Junior Caminero topped the team with 42 home runs and 101 RBIs.
Caminero, 23, reached base five times during the ALDS but has not yet hit a playoff home run. Yandy Díaz is another key contributor in a lineup that managed just a .208 average and .599 OPS through the series’ first three games.
Key Matchup To Watch
Freddy Peralta’s 1.93 ERA will be tested against a Guardians lineup that has shown more patience than power, drawing walks at a far higher rate than Tampa Bay’s hitters have all postseason. Cleveland’s 15.0 strikeouts-per-nine mark on the mound will also face a Rays offense still searching for consistent contact, evidenced by its .208 team batting average. MLB.com’s preview of the series suggested pitching could decide the ALCS, with Tampa Bay’s staff holding a slight edge, a dynamic Game 2 will test directly with Peralta opposite Messick.
What To Watch
Cleveland is trying to reach the World Series for the first time since 2016 and win it for the first time since 1948. Tampa Bay, in the World Series as recently as 2020, is still chasing its first championship. A Guardians win Tuesday would put them one victory from a commanding 2-0 series lead on the road, while a Rays win would even the ALCS before it shifts. Total Apex Sports covered the Game 1 result and the Messick starting assignment for Game 2.
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