Sports · Baseball · 1 hr ago
Guardians face Rays in Game 1 of the 2026 ALCS
The Cleveland Guardians and Tampa Bay Rays meet Monday night in Game 1 of the 2026 American League Championship Series.
The best-of-seven series is the next stage of the MLB playoffs for the two teams.
Cleveland came back from a 2-0 deficit against Chicago in the previous round, winning three straight games to advance.
Tampa Bay, the top seed, won the American League East with a 98-64 record, while Cleveland won the AL Central at 85-77.
The game is at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, with first pitch set for 8 p.m.
ET.
Drew Rasmussen is starting for Tampa Bay, and Foster Griffin is starting for Cleveland.
The Cleveland Guardians are scheduled to face the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the 2026 American League Championship Series on Monday night.
The game is set for 8 p.m. ET at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Tampa Bay will start right-hander Drew Rasmussen, while Cleveland will start left-hander Foster Griffin.
The Guardians reached the series after winning three straight games to overcome a 2-0 deficit in the American League Division Series.
The Rays won the American League East and enter as the top seed, while Cleveland won the American League Central.
- Who
- The Cleveland Guardians and Tampa Bay Rays.
- What
- They are scheduled to play Game 1 of the 2026 American League Championship Series.
- When
- Monday night; first pitch is set for 8 p.m. ET.
- Where
- Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.
- Why
- The game is the opening match of the American League Championship Series.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Cleveland fell behind 2-0, then won three straight games to advance.
The Guardians won 2-0 in their third straight victory.
The Guardians and Rays are scheduled to meet in Game 1 of the ALCS.
- Game
- 2026 ALCS Game 1
- Venue
- Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
- First pitch
- 8 p.m. ET
- Tampa Bay starter
- Drew Rasmussen, right-hander
- Cleveland starter
- Foster Griffin, left-hander
- ALDS comeback
- Cleveland won three straight after trailing 2-0
Sources
Guardians vs. Rays ALCS Game 1 picks Monday: Tampa Bay appears to have nearly every advantage in series opener
Rays vs. Guardians predictions: ALCS expert picks as title-starved franchises square off for pennant
Guardians vs. Rays ALCS Game 1 picks Monday: Tampa Bay appears to have nearly every opening advantage
Guardians vs. Rays prediction, odds, time: 2026 ALCS Game 1 picks by proven model
Related news
Brewers knock Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto out in third inning
ABS challenges are more frequent and successful in MLB playoffs
Fighters beat Lions 4-1 to reach Pacific League final stage
Dodgers have much higher payroll than three other playoff teams
Dodgers name Skubal for NLCS opener against Brewers, Yamamoto for Game 2
Brewers host Dodgers in National League Championship Series opener
Lions Give Up Run After Failed Defense Against Fake Bunt
Brewers beat Dodgers 2-1 in NLCS opener
Gavin Williams to start for Guardians in deciding ALDS Game 5
Padres linked to Yankees free-agent infielder
Yamamoto takes the mound as Dodgers trail Brewers 1-0 in NLCS
