Guardians vs Rays, ALCS Game 4: Time, Pitching Matchup and What Is at Stake

Updated 01:24 UTC. Game 4 of the American League Championship Series was postponed on Friday night because of rain in Cleveland. Major League Baseball made the call about an hour after the scheduled 8:08 p.m. Eastern start at Progressive Field, after a delay in which the tarp came back out and the warning track was cleared more than once. Game 4 will now be played on Saturday, October 17 at 8 p.m. Eastern. Game 5 moves to Sunday, October 18 at 5 p.m. Eastern in Cleveland, so the scheduled off day is gone. Cleveland still leads Tampa Bay 2-1. Nick Martinez was set to pitch for the Rays against Shawn Armstrong, who was set to open a bullpen game for the Guardians. If a Game 6 is needed, the series moves to Tampa Bay on Monday with no off day for travel.

Updated 17:25 UTC. Cleveland named its Game 4 plan on Friday. Shawn Armstrong will open for the Guardians in a bullpen game, and Nick Martinez will start for Tampa Bay, the Associated Press reported. First pitch stayed at 8 p.m. Eastern at Progressive Field, moved back two hours after Milwaukee swept the Dodgers in the National League series.

Armstrong has allowed one hit in 5 1/3 innings this postseason, with five strikeouts, in four appearances before tonight. This will be his fifth appearance. The Beacon Journal reported that Joey Cantillo, well rested, could throw several innings after Armstrong, and that rain fell in Cleveland for much of the day, with a window expected between 8 and 11 p.m. Eastern that could let the game be played. An ALCS game has not been postponed since 2019.

Cleveland leads Tampa Bay 2-1 in the American League Championship Series, and Game 4 is set for Friday, October 16 at 8 p.m. EDT at Progressive Field in Cleveland. The game will be shown on TBS. A Guardians win would push the Rays to the edge. A Rays win would level the best of seven series at 2-2.

The Guardians took control on Thursday in Game 3, beating the Rays 3-2. Petey Halpin hit a two run homer in the fifth inning to give Cleveland the lead. Closer Cade Smith finished the win and protected the one run margin to the end.

The pitching matchup

Tampa Bay lists Nick Martinez as its probable starter for Game 4. Cleveland had not named a starter in the Associated Press preview and listed the spot as TBD. The Rays know their plan. The Guardians may wait on the weather.

Martinez brings a strong record against Cleveland this season. He has thrown 13 innings across two starts against the Guardians, allowed seven hits, and given up no runs. Tampa Bay will trust him with a game it needs to win. If he works deep, the Rays can save their bullpen for Game 5.

Rain is in the Cleveland forecast and could change pitching plans, according to the Akron Beacon Journal. Both staffs will watch the forecast through the afternoon.

What is at stake

Milwaukee has already reached the World Series by sweeping Los Angeles. The winner of this series faces the Brewers. The Guardians can move within one win of the World Series on Friday. The Rays need a win to avoid facing elimination on Saturday.

Game 5 is scheduled for Saturday, October 17 in Cleveland if needed. A 3-1 lead is a very different position from a 2-2 tie.

The season story

Tampa Bay finished the regular season at 98-64 and in first place in the AL East. Cleveland finished at 85-77 and in first place in the AL Central. Tampa Bay also leads the season series 6-3. Friday is the 10th meeting between the teams this season. The Rays have won more of those games overall, yet Cleveland has won two of the first three in this series when the games matter most.

Players to watch

Jose Ramirez remains the central figure for Cleveland. He has 27 doubles and 12 home runs this season, per the Associated Press list of top performers. For Tampa Bay, Yandy Diaz is hitting .293 with 22 home runs and 85 RBIs. In a low scoring series, one extra base hit from Diaz or Ramirez can change the night.

Key numbers

• Series score: Cleveland leads 2-1 in the best of seven ALCS
• Game 3 result: Guardians 3, Rays 2
• Game 4 time: Friday, October 16 at 8 p.m. EDT, Progressive Field, on TBS
• Probable starters: Nick Martinez for Tampa Bay, Cleveland TBD
• Martinez vs Cleveland this season: 13 innings, seven hits, no runs in two starts
• Regular season records: Rays 98-64, Guardians 85-77
• Season series: Tampa Bay leads 6-3, Friday is meeting number 10
• Game 5: Saturday, October 17 in Cleveland if needed

What happens next

First pitch is at 8 p.m. EDT. If Cleveland wins, Tampa Bay must win Game 5 on Saturday to stay alive. If Tampa Bay wins, the series is tied and Game 5 becomes a contest for control with the World Series place still open. Either way, the winner of this series meets Milwaukee, and Friday night will shape how hard that road looks.