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CLEVELAND — In the American League Division Series, the Guardians traveled to Chicago facing elimination and came back to beat the White Sox. Now, they aim to prevent a return to Florida under similar win-or-go-home circumstances against the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL Championship Series.
"I know how important it is going into opposing territory with a lead, one game away from heading to the World Series," Guardians starting pitcher Parker Messick said.
The best-of-seven ALCS is tied 2-2 after the Rays' 7-3 victory in Game 4. Game 5 is scheduled for 5:08 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, at Progressive Field. The Guardians should feel a sense of urgency, especially since the series is a lock to return to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, for Game 6.
As Game 5 approaches, here are predictions from Beacon Journal sports writers Ryan Lewis and Nate Ulrich.
Key Analysis
Lewis: The rainout in the series sets up a terrific pitching matchup with Messick taking the mound opposite Drew Rasmussen, which wouldn't have been possible in Game 5 had it not been pushed back a day. Very little has separated these two teams, and both times the Guardians have made mistakes in the field, the Rays have capitalized. Cleveland has to be rock solid. But Messick as an All-Star left-handed pitcher is the last prototype the Rays want to see on the mound. I'll take the Guardians to retake the series lead heading back to Tampa Bay. Guardians over Rays 4-3.
Ulrich: Tampa Bay's big three of Yandy Diaz, Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero got rolling in Game 4. While discussing how Cleveland's pitchers had been executing well against the trio, Guardians manager Stephen Vogt knocked on a table during his pregame media availability ahead of Game 4. The precautionary measure didn't work. Diaz, Aranda and Caminero proceeded to combine for six hits and five RBIs, leading the Rays to tie the series 2-2. This is a guess Diaz, Aranda and Caminero aren't done producing. Rays over Guardians 5-3.
Ryan Lewis covers the Guardians for the Beacon Journal. He can be reached at [email protected].
Originally reported by yahoo.