One half of the 2026 World Series is set. The Milwaukee Brewers will represent the National League in the Fall Classic, advancing to their first Series since 1982, when they were an American League team. The Brewers were utterly dominant in sweeping the two-time defending champion Dodgers, rallying back from deficits in all four games by coming up with clutch hits at every turn. They’re going to be a tough customer for whichever AL team has to face them.
We won’t know which team that is until at least
tomorrow. The Guardians carry a 2-1 ALCS lead over the Rays into tonight’s Game 4, having delivered three well-pitched games in which they’ve held Tampa Bay to three or fewer runs each time. Cleveland is firing on all cylinders right now, making even the Rays — who had the AL’s best record this season — look vulnerable. The Guardians would love to finish off this series with wins tonight and tomorrow at Progressive Field to keep this series from going back to Tampa.
Rays at Guardians, 8:00 PM (TBS/HBO Max) — Guardians lead 2-1
RHP Nick Martinez (TB) vs. RHP Shawn Armstrong (CLE)
The Guardians’ rotation is a bit thin behind the dynamic duo of Gavin Williams and Parker Messick, so they’re going with a bullpen game. It’ll be started by the former Oriole Armstrong, who has been lights out in the playoffs so far, retiring 16 of the 17 batters he’s faced. He’ll be tasked with facing the Yandy Díaz/Jonathan Aranda/Junior Caminero trio before the Guardians turn to a bulk reliever, possibly lefty Joey Cantillo or righty Tanner Bibee. That top of the order for the Rays really needs to get things going. Díaz, Aranda, and Caminero are a combined 5-for-34 in this series, including an 0-for-10 from Aranda and seven strikeouts in 11 at-bats by Caminero.
The Rays counter with the veteran Nick Martinez, who had a sensational debut season in Tampa Bay with a 3.10 ERA in 31 starts. The 35-year-old is making just his second career postseason start. His previous one came last week in the ALDS against the Yankees, when he gave up two runs in 3.2 innings. He’ll need to be careful with Chase DeLauter, who has three extra-base hits in 10 at-bats in this series, and a rejuvenated José Ramírez, who is 6-for-12.
Rays lineup:
DH Yandy Díaz
1B Jonathan Aranda
LF Chandler Simpson
3B Junior Caminero
C Liam Hicks
RF Victor Mesa Jr.
CF Jonny DeLuca
2B Richie Palacios
SS Taylor Walls
RHP Nick Martinez
Guardians lineup:
LF Steven Kwan
3B José Ramírez
RF Chase DeLauter
DH Jo Adell
1B Nathaniel Lowe
2B Travis Bazzana
C Patrick Bailey
CF Petey Halpin
SS Brayan Rocchio
RHP Shawn Armstrong
