Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series went exactly as scripted for the Guardians in a 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. Ace Shane Bieber was dominant for 7⅔ innings, Most Valuable Player candidate Jose Ramirez hit a two-run homer and All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase got the final four outs. Easy as 1-2-3. Guardians manager Terry Francona had an interesting ride home after he momentarily thought a woman was flashing him.
On to Game 2, when another of the young stars, right-hander Triston McKenzie, will try to pitch the Guardians into the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees. The Rays will counter with flame-throwing right-hander Tyler Glasnow.
Here’s how the Guardians’ 1-0 win over the Rays to close out the series sweep unfolded:
Cleveland Guardians vs. Tampa Bay Rays live updates from Game 2:
Oscar Gonzalez hits walk-off home run off Corey Kluber
Bottom 15th: It’s over. The Guardians are headed to New York. Oscar Gonzalez drills a walk-off home run off Corey Kluber to end it.
Sam Hentges throws three scoreless innings
Top 15th: Sam Hentges has come through for Cleveland in a big way, throwing three scoreless innings with six strikeouts. After the Rays put runners on the corners in the 15th, Hentges struck out back-to-back hitters to escape the inning.
Bottom 14th: There have been 28 half-innings and no runs. At some point this game has to be considered a medical concern for Guardians and Rays fans.
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Guardians-Rays now longest scoreless playoff game in baseball history
Bottom 13th: This is now the longest scoreless playoff game in baseball history. A combination of elite pitching, some poor at-bats, great defense and perhaps the shadows playing a role as well.
Sam Hentges is still in the game. Zach Plesac and Kirk McCarty are warming up. Other than Shane Bieber, who pitched yesterday, and Cal Quantrill, who would pitch Game 3 tomorrow if needed, that’s it for the Guardians in terms of pitching options.
Corey Kluber enters for Rays
Bottom 13th: Corey Kluber, old friend of Cleveland, is in to pitch for the Rays in the bottom of the 13th. This will be a strange sight for Cleveland fans on such a big stage.
Jose Ramirez, Josh Naylor make incredible play to keep it tied
Top 12th: Josh Ramirez and Josh Naylor just put together the play of the season. With runners on the corners and two outs, Manuel Margot grounded a ball down the third base line. Jose Ramirez corralled it, threw it as he fell away from first base and Josh Naylor finished the play with one of best scoops at first base you’ll ever see. That play keeps it tied, and the Guardians have another chance to close it out in the 12th.
Bottom 10th: Don’t worry, somebody will score eventually. By rule, somebody has to score at some point.
And for the Guardians, Eli Morgan is back out to pitch the 10th.
Bottom 9th: Seriously, first team to score wins. Somebody has to eventually, right? Guardians and Rays are headed to extra innings.
Guardians-Rays scoreless through eight innings
Bottom 8th: OK fine, first team to score wins. Guardians and Rays have been terrific on the mound. Emmanuel Clase is entering for the top of the ninth.
Oscar Gonzalez needs Sandy Alomar Jr’s belt
Bottom 7th: Here’s a new one. Oscar Gonzalez singled and then, after a stolen base attempt on a foul ball, broke his belt. As he returned to first, first base coach Sandy Alomar Jr. quickly took off his and gave it to Gonzalez to wear.
This game is still scoreless heading to the 8th.
Austin Hedges ended the 7th inning with a picture-perfect throw to nab Margot at second base. The Rays challenged the play, but the call was confirmed. If that throw isn’t in the perfect spot, the Rays would have had the go-ahead run in scoring position, as Margot got a great jump.
Guardians waste bases-loaded scoring chance in 6th
Bottom 6th: All hell broke loose with the Rays bullpen. Fairbanks walked the first two hitters he faced. Then Jason Adam hit Amed Rosario and threw two balls to Jose Ramirez.
The Guardians couldn’t ask for a better scenario: 2-0 count, Ramirez at the plate, bases loaded, nobody out. Somehow, the game is still scoreless. Ramirez struck out and Josh Naylor grounded into an inning-ending double play.
Pete Fairbanks exits for Rays after walking two batters, Guardians have two on with nobody out
Bottom 6th: Fairbanks’ day is done with an apparent injury after two batters. Without the injury he would have, by rule, had to face Amed Rosario after he walked Straw and Kwan. Guardians have two on with nobody out and the middle of their lineup due up. Fairbanks’ velocity was down 3.8 mph on his fastball compared to his average.
Fairbanks appeared to tell a Rays trainer that he couldn’t feel his hand.
Pete Fairbanks enters, and Guardians have a scoring threat
Bottom 6th: Pete Fairbanks entered for Glasnow and threw his first pitch to Straw a few feet over his head. He then walked Straw, who stole second base, and went down 3-0 to Kwan. All of a sudden, the Rays bullpen is active again.
Top 6: The Rays’ first threat of the day goes for naught, as McKenzie gets a flyout to end the inning.
Still scoreless, it’ll be up to the bullpens from here. Pete Fairbanks is entering for the Rays. And with McKenzie up to 98 pitches through six and James Karinchak warming, there’s a good chance Terry Francona won’t have McKenzie face Choi a third time, as he’s put together two quality at-bats so far today.
Triston McKenzie, Tyler Glasnow dueling
Bottom 5th: The McKenzie-Glasnow matchup has lived up to its billing. Only three total hits. Both look filthy. Runs are at a premium.
McKenzie has thrown more pitches (78-63), but Glasnow likely doesn’t have many more before he’ll be pulled. He returned from Tommy John surgery recently and isn’t up to his full workload. Which with how he looks today is pretty fortunate for Cleveland.
Triston McKenzie no-hit bid broken up in 5th
Top 5th: The Rays’ first hit of the day is a single by Paredes with one out in the 5th. It was also the first ball in play that wasn’t an out to center field.
Triston McKenzie near perfect through four innings
Top 4: To not upset any of the home fans, it’ll be phrased like this: through four innings, the only batter for the Rays to reach base did so via a walk.
McKenzie looks as sharp as ever thus far. Glasnow has been just as effective, limiting the Guardians to just one hit.
Triston McKenzie strikes out six through three innings against Rays
Top 3rd: Triston McKenzie looks to be in top form. Through three innings, he’s only allowed a walk and struck out six of the 10 batters he’s faced. As advertised, looks to be another pitcher’s duel early on today.
Guardians, Rays scoreless through two innings
Bottom 2nd: Tyler Glasnow has looked sharp as well, striking out four through two scoreless innings. Guardians are fortunate he isn’t built up to his regular workload yet.
Top 2nd: The Rays made him work, but McKenzie worked through a clean second inning. Ji-Man Choi worked a 10-pitch walk, running up McKenzie’s pitch count, but a strikeout ended the inning. That’ll even the playing field a bit, as Tyler Glasnow is on a limited pitch count today as he returns from an injury.
Triston McKenzie cruises through first inning on all fastballs
Top 1st: Triston McKenzie tossed a quick 1-2-3 inning in the first. He threw 11 pitches, all fastballs.
It’s a balmy 49 degrees at first pitch. The word of the day is: bundled.
Guardians AL Wild Card Game 2 lineup
The Guardians have unveiled their lineup for Game 2. The only change is with the DH spot, as Will Brennan is in the lineup with a right-hander on the mound.
Kwan LF
Rosario SS
Ramirez 3B
Naylor 1B
González RF
Gimenez 2B
Brennan DH
Hedges C
Straw CF
What channel is Cleveland Guardians game on?
Game 2 is on ESPN 2 and a possible Game 3 will be on ESPN.
Is there a Cleveland Guardians vs. Tampa Bay Rays live stream?
Yes. The Guardians and Rays will be streaming on any platform that offers ESPN, like Hulu Live or YouTube. The game will also be streaming on the ESPN+ app.
Who are the starting pitchers for Tampa Bay Rays vs Cleveland Guardians Game 2?
The Guardians’ Triston McKenzie will make his first career playoff start as he’ll face Tampa Bay Rays veteran Tyler Glasnow.
Cleveland Guardians to be among first teams to play in new MLB expanded playoff
Major League Baseball expanded the playoffs this season.
Instead of the two, one-game wildcard games, eight teams will advance from the regular season to the Wild Card round with the two best divisional championship teams receiving a bye to the divisional series. This means in the American League, the Houston Astros and New York Yankees will await the winners of the Guardians-Rays and Seattle Mariners-Toronto Blue Jays Wild Card Series.
In the National League, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves, the defending World Series champions, will get a bye. The St. Louis Cardinals will play the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets will play the San Diego Padres in Wild Card round.
What time do the Cleveland Guardians play the Tampa Bay Rays?
Here is the schedule:
- Game 2: 12:07 p.m. Saturday
- Game 3, if necessary: 4:07 pm Sunday
