The Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians will begin their battle for a trip to the World Series on Monday night when they meet in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series at Tropicana Field.
Oct 3, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero (13) reacts in the eighth inning against the New York Yankees in game one of the ALDS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Pablo Robles-Imagn Images
How to Watch Rays vs Guardians
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Date: Monday, October 12, 2026
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Stream: DIRECTV (try for free)
Tampa Bay enters the ALCS as the top seed in the American League after finishing the regular season with a 98-64 record. The Rays made quick work of the New York Yankees in the ALDS, sweeping their division rivals in three games behind outstanding pitching and timely hitting.
Drew Rasmussen will take the mound for Tampa Bay after posting a 2.67 ERA during the regular season. With Junior Caminero, Yandy Díaz and Jonathan Aranda anchoring the lineup, the Rays will look to continue their postseason dominance and move one step closer to their first World Series championship.
Cleveland took a much different path to the ALCS, overcoming a 2-0 series deficit against the Chicago White Sox to win three consecutive games and advance. José Ramírez played a major role in the comeback, recording five hits and seven RBIs over the final three games of the series.
The Guardians will turn to Foster Griffin in Game 1 as they attempt to steal home-field advantage from a Tampa Bay team that won five of their six regular-season meetings. With Cleveland chasing its first World Series title since 1948, the stakes could hardly be higher as the best-of-seven series gets underway.
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