Rasmussen leads Rays past Guardians to move one win from World Series

The Tampa Bay Rays moved within one victory of the World Series on Sunday night, defeating the Cleveland Guardians 3–1 in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series. The result at Progressive Field gave Tampa Bay a 3–2 lead in the series.

Drew Rasmussen supplied the foundation, allowing one run on four hits across seven innings. The right-hander struck out six batters and walked one, giving the Rays a long start that left their relief pitchers with only two innings to cover.

Tampa Bay built its advantage early, scoring once in each of the first three innings. Yandy Díaz opened with a double and scored when Jonny DeLuca drew a bases-loaded walk. Jonathan Aranda then drove in Ben Williamson in the second, before Liam Hicks brought home Chandler Simpson in the third.

With their early runs on the board, the Rays leaned on Rasmussen and their bullpen. Cam Booser and Tyler Wells handled the eighth inning, and Bryan Baker finished the game in the ninth for his fifth save of the postseason. Cleveland ended with five hits against Tampa Bay's pitching staff.

Díaz finished with three hits, while Aranda and Hicks each contributed two hits and drove in a run. That production helped Tampa Bay win consecutive games in Cleveland after the series had been level at two wins apiece.

The series now returns to St Petersburg, Florida, for Game 6 on Monday, 19 October, local time. Tampa Bay is seeking its third American League pennant and first since 2020, but has not yet secured its World Series place. Cleveland must win the next game to force a deciding seventh contest.

Sources

• Drew Rasmussen pitches Rays to 3-2 ALCS series lead over Guardians — Field Level Media (2026-10-18)
• Rasmussen shines as Rays beat Guardians in Game 5 — AP / AOL (2026-10-19)
• MLB: ALCS Game 5 result (2026-10-19)