yahoo
CLEVELAND — The American League Championship Series is deadlocked at two games apiece, and Sunday's Game 5 at Progressive Field will feature a marquee pitching showdown between Guardians rookie Parker Messick and Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen. The two managers announced the starters after Tampa Bay evened the series with a 7-3 win in Game 4 on Saturday.
Messick, a first-year hurler, has posted an 0-2 record across three postseason starts, registering a 3.09 ERA with 14 strikeouts over 11 innings. During the regular season, he compiled a 12-9 mark with a 2.56 ERA and 193 strikeouts in 186 innings. The rookie previously started Game 2 of the ALCS, a 3-1 Rays victory, during which he surrendered three runs (none earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out three in five innings.
Rasmussen, meanwhile, owns a 1-0 record in two playoff starts this year, sporting a 1.29 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 14 innings. In the regular season, he went 16-5 with a 2.67 ERA and 174 strikeouts over 172 innings. The righty started Game 1 of the ALCS, a 7-3 Guardians win, allowing two runs on eight hits and no walks while fanning seven in six innings.
Key Analysis
The pitching matchup sets up a fascinating contrast between Messick's rookie poise and Rasmussen's veteran consistency. With the series tied, both starters will be under immense pressure to deliver length and quality, as each team's bullpen has already been taxed through four games. Messick's ability to suppress hard contact and Rasmussen's strikeout prowess will be critical in determining which club gains the upper hand heading into a potential Game 6.
Originally reported by yahoo.