Rays Even ALCS with Guardians, Game 6 Needed to Decide Champion

The American League Championship Series (ALCS) will require at least six games to determine its champion. The Tampa Bay Rays tied the series 2-2 after defeating the Cleveland Guardians 7-3 in Game 4.

Early in the game, the Guardians took a 1-0 lead when Chase DeLauter drove in Steven Kwan with an RBI single in the first inning. However, the opportunity to extend their lead diminished as their offense stagnated afterward.

Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays reacts to a play during Game 4 of the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026.

The Rays responded in the third inning with Yandy Diaz doubling and Jonathan Aranda driving him in to knot the game. In the sixth, Junior Caminero’s RBI double put Tampa Bay ahead 2-1. Though they missed a chance to extend their lead further, the Rays opened the next inning with second and third and scored three more runs, two driven in by Aranda.

Jonathan Aranda of the Tampa Bay Rays reacts to an RBI single in the third inning during Game 4 of the ALCS against the Guardians.

Cleveland halved the deficit in the bottom half of the inning but failed to capitalize further. Yandy Diaz added crucial insurance in the ninth with a two-run home run, making it a 7-3 game. Bryan Baker, an All-Star closer, ensured the victory by securing the final outs with ease.

The series has seen no consecutive wins by either team. Weather conditions postponed Game 4 to Saturday, delaying both Game 4 and Game 5 by a day. Game 6 will occur on Monday without any more scheduled breaks in the series.

Yandy Díaz of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the ninth inning during Game 4 of the ALCS.

Game 5 is scheduled for Sunday at 5:08 p.m. ET.