Sports · Baseball · 14 hrs ago
Rays and Guardians meet in their first American League Championship Series
The Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians are meeting in the American League Championship Series, which began on October 12.
The teams have never faced each other for the American League title, and the winner will advance to the World Series.
Both had strong regular seasons: Tampa Bay was the league’s top seed, and Cleveland was second.
Their payrolls were among the lowest in Major League Baseball, according to the figures cited in the story.
Cleveland reached the series after coming back from a 0–2 deficit against the Chicago White Sox in the previous round.
The Guardians are seeking their first World Series title since 1948, while the Rays have played in two World Series, in 2008 and 2020.
The first two games are scheduled for Tampa, followed by games three and four in Cleveland.
The Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians are meeting in the American League Championship Series for the first time.
The series begins on October 12, 2026, at Tropicana Field in Tampa.
The winner will claim the American League title and advance to the World Series.
The teams had two of the three lowest payrolls in Major League Baseball, according to Spotrac figures cited by El Economista MX.
Cleveland reached the series after coming back from a 0-2 deficit against the Chicago White Sox in the Division Series.
- Who
- The Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians.
- What
- They are meeting in the American League Championship Series for the first time. The winner advances to the World Series.
- When
- The series begins October 12, 2026.
- Where
- Game 1 is at Tropicana Field in Tampa; Games 3 and 4 are scheduled for Progressive Field in Cleveland.
- Why
- The teams are competing for the American League title and a place in the World Series.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
These moments are really special
After the tough preseason, you know you have a clear goal, which is to make the playoffs. So once you’re here, you realize that we’ve worked for this and that now is the time to enjoy it
Cleveland lost its most recent previous Championship Series, falling to the New York Yankees.
The Rays and Guardians are scheduled to begin their first American League Championship Series at Tropicana Field.
Game 2 is scheduled at Tropicana Field.
Game 3 is scheduled at Progressive Field in Cleveland.
Game 4 is scheduled at Progressive Field in Cleveland.
- First matchup
- Rays and Guardians are meeting in the American League Championship Series for the first time
- Series start
- October 12, 2026
- Game 1 venue
- Tropicana Field, Tampa
- Guardians payroll
- $74.45 million
- Rays payroll
- $95.61 million
- Guardians' last World Series
- 2016, when they lost to the Chicago Cubs 3-4
Sources
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