Rays Tie ALCS at Two Games Apiece Ahead of Game 5 in Cleveland

The American League Championship Series is even, 2-2, after the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Cleveland Guardians 7-3 at Progressive Field on Saturday, forcing a Game 5 Sunday with a World Series berth against the Milwaukee Brewers on the line, according to ESPN. The swing came from Tampa Bay's top of the order, which ESPN's coverage describes as the club's "big three" breaking out of a slump to deliver the series-tying win.

Who Is Pitching in ALCS Game 5?

Cleveland sends Parker Messick to the mound against Tampa Bay's Drew Rasmussen, with first pitch set for 5 p.m. ET Sunday at Progressive Field, per ESPN's lineup card. The matchup is the fifth of a best-of-seven series that returns to Cleveland for a third straight game before a possible shift back to Tampa Bay.

What Happened in Cleveland's Game 4 Loss?

The Guardians' chance to take a 3-1 series lead slipped away in Game 4, with ESPN's recap pointing to a costly defensive miscue by Chase DeLauter as a turning point in the 7-3 result. The loss erased home-field momentum Cleveland had built and reset the series at two wins apiece heading into Sunday.

"Will Tampa Bay move one win away from punching its Fall Classic ticket at home?" — ESPN

What Are the Full Lineups for Game 5?

Tampa Bay's order, as listed by ESPN: Yandy Diaz (DH), Jonathan Aranda (1B), Ryan Vilade (RF), Junior Caminero (3B), Chandler Simpson (LF), Jonny DeLuca (CF), Liam Hicks (C), Ben Williamson (2B) and Taylor Walls (SS).

Cleveland counters with Steven Kwan (LF), Jose Ramirez (3B), Chase DeLauter (RF), Jo Adell (DH), Nathaniel Lowe (1B), Travis Bazzana (2B), Patrick Bailey (C), Petey Halpin (CF) and Brayan Rocchio (SS).

Who Advances to Face Milwaukee in the World Series?

The ALCS winner plays the Milwaukee Brewers, who swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS to reach their first World Series in 44 years, according to ESPN. That sweep ended the Dodgers' bid for a third straight title and sets up Milwaukee as the waiting opponent regardless of which American League club advances.

Where Can Fans Follow the Game Live?

ESPN is running live lineups, in-game updates and postgame analysis for Game 5 directly on its ALCS coverage page. Fans tracking the matchup pitch-by-pitch and testing their own predictions can also check out Smorgi Challenge as a side game during the broadcast.

A Game 6 at Tropicana Field would follow Monday if Cleveland forces the series' return trip; a Rays win Sunday would instead send Tampa Bay to the World Series outright.