Fastrack · Rasmussen, Messick Start Pivotal ALCS Game 5

Drew Rasmussen allowed one run over seven innings as the Rays beat the Guardians 3-1 on Sunday. Tampa Bay leads the ALCS 3-2.

3 runs came one at a time in the first three innings.
2 innings for Guardians rookie Parker Messick, the shortest start of his career.
1.29 ERA for Rasmussen across three postseason starts, with a 2-0 record.
35 straight save chances converted by Rays closer Bryan Baker.

Why it matters: Tampa Bay is one of five franchises that have never won a World Series. Cleveland last won it in 1948.

Road teams winning Game 5 for a 3-2 lead have won four of five such ALCS.
A pennant would be the Rays' third and first since 2020.

The story so far

9 steps · since Oct 9

Oct 9Guardians Eliminate White Sox, Advance to ALCS19 sources
Oct 11Guardians Top Rays 7-3 in ALCS Game 118 sources
Oct 13–14
Oct 146:15 PMGuardians Beat Rays in ALCS Game 317 sources
Oct 15–17
Oct 18Rasmussen, Messick Start Pivotal ALCS Game 5You are hereLatest

How 13 sources split on this story

Source landscape

Factuality

High

Mixed

Low

Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right

Political Bias

Coverage by lean% of 13 sources

13 sources · 29 articles · 62% Center coverage

Where they split: Accounts differ on Cleveland's lone run: Fox News reported an infield groundout in the sixth, while The Boston Globe reported a Chase DeLauter RBI single in the seventh.

Center coverage, 8 sources: The center treats the game as a pivotal swing in a tied series, focusing on schedule, lineups and stakes.

USA Today6hRays one win away from World Series, shop Game 6 ALCS tickets for Monday in Tampa Bay ESPN5hRasmussen's gem puts Rays on cusp of World Series Heavy7hGuardians’ Cade Smith Decision Might Be a Mistake Reuters6hDrew Rasmussen pitches Rays to 3-2 ALCS series lead over Guardians WFLA News Channel 86hRasmussen shines as the Rays beat the Guardians 3-1 in Game 5 to take a 3-2 ALCS lead Associated Press6hRasmussen shines as the Rays beat the Guardians 3-1 in Game 5 to take a 3-2 ALCS lead PennLive12hHow to watch Guardians vs. Rays ALCS Game 5 tonight on free streams, TV The Columbus Dispatch21hHow to watch Cleveland Guardians vs Tampa Bay Rays in ALCS Game 5

Left coverage, 3 sources: The left centers Rasmussen as the Rays' ace and the steady force behind Tampa Bay's push toward the pennant.

The Boston Globe5hDrew Rasmussen shines as Rays move one win away from AL pennant Tampa Bay Times6hRays beat Guardians again, return home one win from World Series berth Cleveland.com51mYandy Diaz guarantees Rays will eliminate Guardians on Monday night to reach World Series

Right coverage, 2 sources: The right frames the game as a Rasmussen-driven Rays win that leaves Cleveland's offense needing a fix, with betting angles added.

Fox News6hTampa Bay Rays move one win from World Series after Drew Rasmussen dominates Cleveland Guardians New York Post5hDrew Rasmussen dominates Guardians in Game 5 to move Rays win away from World Series

What’s next: Game 6 is Monday at Tropicana Field. A rainout removed the off day between games.

The World Series opens Friday, Oct. 23, in Milwaukee.
Who will start Game 6 for each team after both bullpens were used heavily?
Can Cleveland's offense, held to five hits Sunday, recover on the road?