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With ALCS evened, Guardians look to flush Game 4 and hand ball to Messick

The Cleveland Guardians and Tampa Bay Rays have reset the American League Championship Series after a tight Game 4, with the Guardians falling 7-3 to tie the best-of-seven at two games apiece. The loss snaps Cleveland’s chance to build a commanding lead, as teams with a 3-1 series advantage historically win 85% of the time.

Now, the focus shifts to Game 5, where left-handed pitcher Parker Messick will take the mound for his fourth postseason start, facing off against Rays ace Drew Rasmussen. Messick, who has thrown a career-high 198 innings this season, has shown resilience despite occasional command struggles in the playoffs, including a five-inning outing in Game 2 where he allowed three runs (none earned).

The Guardians’ bullpen, led by closer Cade Smith, will also play a critical role in determining the series’ momentum after a bullpen-heavy Game 4 effort.

Injuries and late-game heroics have also marked the series, with Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan suffering a busted lip after a dramatic headfirst slide in the eighth inning of Game 4. Kwan’s postseason grit—including a clutch chopper to first base—has become symbolic of the Guardians’ fightback mentality.

Meanwhile, the Rays’ Nick Martinez stifled Cleveland for four innings, retiring 11 straight batters before the Guardians finally broke through. With Game 5 set for 5 p.m.

ET on TBS, the stakes could not be higher for both teams vying for the AL pennant.

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