Guardians Rally Past Rays in ALCS Opener in St Petersburg

The Cleveland Guardians defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 7-3 in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series in St. Petersburg, using late offensive production and bullpen strength to overcome an early deficit. The victory gave the Guardians their fourth consecutive postseason win and put the Rays behind in the best-of-seven series.

According to MLB, the Rays controlled the game through the first six innings before Cleveland's offense broke through. Home runs from Chase DeLauter and Patrick Bailey tied the game, while Nathaniel Lowe delivered a two-run single in the eighth inning that moved the Guardians ahead. Bailey's seventh-inning home run came against Rays starter Drew Rasmussen, who had reached 90 pitches through six innings.

MLB reported that the 436-foot drive to right-center field was the longest home run of Bailey's MLB career.

The Guardians also relied on their pitching staff after falling behind early. According to MLB, Foster Griffin, Daniel Espino, Joey Cantillo, Hunter Gaddis and Erik Sabrowski combined for four innings of relief while allowing two runs, setting up Cade Smith for the ninth inning.

Cleveland's win continued a postseason turnaround after the team lost the first two games of its best-of-five American League Division Series before advancing. MLB reported that the Guardians became the 11th team to overcome that deficit and win such a series. The Rays entered the matchup after a 98-win regular season and as the top team in the American League, according to MLB. The loss forced Tampa Bay to play from behind as the series moved forward.

The Guardians and Rays entered the ALCS as organizations built around pitching, defense and analytical approaches, according to MLB. The series format gives Cleveland an important early advantage because Games 3 through 5 are scheduled to be played at home in Cleveland. MLB records show teams that take a 1-0 lead in best-of-seven postseason series have won 127 of 197 times, or 64 percent. In the current 2-3-2 format, road teams that win Game 1 have captured the series 41 of 73 times, or 56 percent.

The American League champion will attempt to end a long championship drought regardless of the outcome. The Rays have reached the World Series twice, in 2008 and 2020, but have not won the title, while the Guardians' title drought stands at 77 seasons, the longest in MLB.