Guardians Rally Past Rays in ALCS Game 1 at Tropicana Field

The Cleveland Guardians defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 7-3 in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, taking a 1-0 series lead after rallying from an early two-run deficit.

According to sports.yahoo.com, Cleveland trailed 2-0 in the first inning before scoring in each of the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth innings. OptaSTATS reported that no playoff team had previously been shut out through five innings and then scored in all four of those later innings.

The Rays scored twice in the opening inning on RBI hits from Junior Caminero and Jonny DeLuca, while starter Drew Rasmussen held Cleveland scoreless through five innings with seven strikeouts, according to foxnews.com.

Jo Adell, one of Cleveland's midseason acquisitions, highlighted the team's resilience after the comeback victory.

"We're gritty with it. It's been in our DNA to make it happen. We're never out of games, and with our pitching staff and the guys we have out there, we trust that every night." said Jo Adell.

Adell later delivered a two-run hit in the ninth inning that extended Cleveland's lead to 7-3. The Guardians also received key performances from other trade deadline additions on the playoff roster.

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt credited his team's consistency after a quick turnaround from the previous playoff series.

"That's who they are," said Guardians manager Stephen Vogt.

Cleveland's bullpen and lineup recovered after Tampa Bay threatened early, and the Guardians secured their fourth consecutive playoff win, including three comeback victories, according to sports.yahoo.com.

Chase DeLauter produced three hits, including a home run and double, while discussing the team's approach throughout the postseason.

"I think that's just the Guardians, man. Whether it's last week, whether it's today, yesterday, we have the same vibes going along. We know what we can do. It's just a matter of if we come out and play our brand of baseball." said Chase DeLauter.

DeLauter also described the impact of players acquired during the season, including Foster Griffin, Adell, Nate Lowe and Patrick Bailey, after their contributions in Game 1.

"Unbelievable, but not necessarily only on the field. Those guys have been unbelievable clubhouse guys. … They're super professional, whether things are going well or wrong. And I think that's huge to see for the rest of the guys, including me being younger, and seeing how they act. Having those guys do this is something special." said Chase DeLauter.

According to sports.yahoo.com, Griffin allowed two runs in the first inning before throwing three scoreless innings, Bailey tied the game with a seventh-inning solo home run, and Lowe delivered a two-run single in the eighth to put Cleveland ahead.

The Guardians collected 14 hits against six Tampa Bay pitchers, with Jose Ramirez going 3-for-5 with two runs scored and Cade Smith closing the game after Cleveland built its final lead, according to foxnews.com.