After the Tampa Bay Rays moved to the brink to their third World Series appearance in franchise history, Yandy Diaz, the club’s designated hitter, made a bold prediction. Clearly, this was on the minds of players, club officials and fans, but Diaz’s pronouncement was bold, loud and clear.
By virtue of a 3-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians Oct. 17 before 36,303 in Progressive Field in game five, the Rays took a three-games-to-two advantage in this best of seven ALCS and within one victory of meeting the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2026 World Series.
In displaying an audacious confidence, Diaz effectively told listeners there was little point in playing game seven Oct. 20 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. According to Diaz, the reason was simple.
“This is a great opportunity and all of us are thinking about of it,” he told mlb.com through an interpreter. “But it all ends (with game six Oct. 19). We’re going to win (on Oct. 19).”
The confidence generated through that 3-1 win was the product of another stellar effort from right-hander Drew Rasmussen, a dominant bullpen and the Rays’ brand of their usually robust defense.
Tampa Bay staked Rasmussen to a lead before he tossed his first pitch.
When Jonny DuLuca walked with the bases loaded in the first, and Jonathan Aranda singled in Ben Williamson in the second, that was all the offense needed. From that point, Rasmussen limited Cleveland to four hits, one run, walked one and struck out six hitters during seven innings. In the 2026 post-season Rasmussen is now 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA.
In assisting the 31-year-old-year native of Washington state, the Rays defense, with strong glove work from shortstop Taylor Walls and Aranda, at first base, limited Cleveland opportunities throughout.
With lefty Cam Booser (post-season 0.00) and righty Bryan Baker (post-season 0.00) slamming the door in the eighth and ninth innings respectively, the Rays danced off Progressive Field in joy, adulation and supreme confidence.
Rasmussen continues to astound.
Consider –
- He leads all post-season pitchers with 21.0 innings
- He is the first Rays pitcher in the post-season to record three straight “quality starts”
- Tossed 18 of 25 first pitch strikes in game five (72 percent)
- The Rays have won 15 of his last 15 starts (regular season and post-season) dating back to July 21
- His 23 strikeouts in the 2026 post-0seaon are the most in a three-game in Rays’ post-season history
“I feel the change-up was in a good place to start,” Rasmussen said in a post-game transcript provided by mlb.com. “We were able to attack with the change-up a lot more (in game five) than we did, like I said, in game one. The ability to drive the cutter to the top I thought was also another strength.”
From the start, the Rays’ patience at the plate was a significant factor.
Diaz led of the game with a double off the right field fence and by the time DuLuca walked to score the important first run of the game, Cleveland starter Parker Messick appeared laboring. In all, Messick threw 31 pitches in that first inning and after he struggled to reach a total of 57 after two innings, Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt went to the bullpen. By that time, Rasmussen settled into commanding domination and prodigious control.
What the Rays can do … teams leading a best of seven post-season series 3-2 after five games have won that series 80 out of 117 times, or 68.4 percent … the Rays are 2-5 all-time in potential clinching games of the ALCS and seek their first-ever win in a post-season game six in franchise history … the Rays improved to 91-0 (regular season and post-season) when leading after eight innings … Tampa Bay hitters did not make an ABS challenge for the eighth straight game in the post-season. That is the second longest by any team is this season and only behind a 13gme streak by Milwaukee from May 15 – May 29.
For game six … The Rays will go with right-hander Freddy Peralta (1-0. 0.79 ERA in post-season). Cleveland skipper Stephen Vogt did not announce his starter for game six after the Guardians dropped game five. However, right-hander Gavin Williams was ruled out to start game six. It’s likely Vogt will go with a bullpen game. Game time is scheduled for 8 PM Eastern and on TBS, nationally. If a game seven is required, that will be held at Tropicana Field on Oct. 20, also at 8 PM Eastern (national TV; TBS).
