Rays and Guardians Set Rosters for American League Championship Series

The Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians have announced their rosters for the American League Championship Series, which starts tonight at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.

The series is best-of-seven, so the teams will play until one wins four games.

Tampa Bay won 98 games in the regular season, while Cleveland won 85.

The Rays will start Drew Rasmussen, who had a 2.67 earned-run average in the regular season and struck out 10 Yankees in eight innings in the previous playoff round.

Cleveland will start Foster Griffin, who joined the team during the season and allowed one run in his only appearance in the previous round.

Each team made one roster change: Tampa Bay added pitcher Brody Hopkins, and Cleveland added pitcher Slade Cecconi.

Cecconi gives Cleveland another option for longer relief, while Hopkins brings a fast fastball but has struggled with walks.