The Tampa Bay Rays secured a 7-3 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Monday night to advance to the Major League Baseball World Series for the third time in franchise history. The win, achieved at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, capped off a six-game American League Championship Series (ALCS) comeback after the Rays trailed 2-1 in the series.
Key contributions included two-run home runs by Junior Caminero and Yandy Díaz, as well as a strong outing from starting pitcher Freddy Peralta, who allowed one run over five and one-third innings. Díaz delivered a crucial 416-foot home run in the eighth inning off Cleveland reliever Hunter Gaddis, restoring a four-run lead and effectively sealing the victory for Tampa Bay. Caminero’s two-run homer earlier in the game added to the team’s advantage.
The Rays pulled ahead early in the second inning with a two-out, two-strike double from Richie Palacios, bringing home Chandler Simpson and Victor Mesa Jr. Tampa Bay extended its lead in the third when Caminero scored on a sacrifice fly by Jonny DeLuca. Cleveland mounted some resistance in the late innings, scoring three runs in the eighth off Rays reliever Ian Seymour, who allowed the bases to become loaded and issued two walks and a hit-by-pitch. However, reliever Kevin Kelly stopped the rally by striking out the potential go-ahead batter with the bases loaded.
Peralta, acquired from the New York Mets before the trade deadline, earned his second win of the ALCS and was named series MVP for his pivotal contributions throughout the postseason. Tampa Bay’s victory sets up a World Series matchup against the Milwaukee Brewers, who swept the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series, marking the first time since 1980 that both teams will compete for their first World Series title.
The Rays have previously appeared in the Fall Classic twice, in 2008 and 2020, both times falling short. The Brewers’ sole World Series appearance came in 1982, where they were also defeated. Game 1 of the World Series is scheduled for Friday night in Milwaukee.
Despite the loss, Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt expressed pride in his team, noting their effort throughout the series but acknowledging the disappointment of coming up short. The Guardians have not won a World Series since their last appearance 78 years ago.
Monday’s win was celebrated by a sellout crowd of 40,230 at Tropicana Field, where fans waved rally towels and chanted throughout the night. The stadium recently underwent significant renovations following severe roof damage sustained during Hurricane Milton two years ago. The Rays, under new ownership and with a new stadium deal approved for a future venue near the NFL’s Buccaneers, have bounced back strongly, winning 55 home games during the regular season, matching the Brewers for the league’s best home record.
Manager Kevin Cash expressed confidence after the win, highlighting the team’s resilience and readiness for the upcoming championship series. The Rays advance with momentum following a sweep of the New York Yankees in the Division Series and their ALCS comeback against Cleveland.