The Cleveland Guardians are sticking with what they know in the most important game of their season so far, with one notable twist behind the plate. With the American League Championship Series tied at two games apiece, Stephen Vogt released his lineup for Sunday’s Game 5 against the Tampa Bay Rays at Progressive Field. The batting order is identical to the one Cleveland used in Game 4, but the pairing between the starting pitcher and catcher will be something the Guardians have not tried before. Patrick Bailey will be behind the plate as Parker Messick takes the mound with a chance to put Cleveland one win from the World Series.
The Athletic’s Zack Meisel shared the lineup on Sunday afternoon and pointed out the change.
“Bailey will catch Messick for the first time,” Meisel posted.
Guardians lineup, ALCS Game 5
Bailey will catch Messick for the first time.
1. LF Steven Kwan
2. 3B José Ramírez
3. RF Chase DeLauter
4. DH Jo Adell
5. 1B Nathaniel Lowe
6. 2B Travis Bazzana
7. C Patrick Bailey
8. CF Petey Halpin
9. SS Brayan RocchioSP Parker Messick
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) October 18, 2026
Austin Hedges has been Messick’s catcher throughout the rookie’s breakout season, including Game 2 of this series in Tampa Bay. Vogt is now choosing to keep Bailey’s bat in the lineup, and it is easy to see why. Bailey has been one of Cleveland’s most productive hitters this postseason. He went 5-15 in the division series, including a pinch hit homer in Game 4 that started the Guardians’ comeback against the White Sox. In the ALCS, he tied Game 1 with a 436 foot homer and has collected four hits through four games. The two time Gold Glove winner is also known for his work behind the plate, so the Guardians are confident he can help guide Messick through a big start.
Steven Kwan will lead off and play left field, followed by José Ramírez at third base and Chase DeLauter in right field. Jo Adell will serve as the designated hitter and bat fourth, with Nathaniel Lowe at first base hitting fifth. Travis Bazzana will play second base and bat sixth, Bailey will hit seventh, Petey Halpin will start in center field and bat eighth, and Brayan Rocchio will play shortstop out of the ninth spot.
Several of those hitters come in with momentum. Ramírez is hitting .400 in the series and is closing in on Omar Vizquel for the most postseason hits in franchise history. Bazzana broke out in Game 4 with a home run, a single and a walk, while DeLauter has five hits, including a homer and two doubles, through four games. Halpin delivered the go ahead homer in Game 3 and made a spectacular catch against the center field wall on Saturday.
The Guardians will need that production against one of the toughest pitchers in the American League. Rays ace Drew Rasmussen is 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA this postseason and allowed two runs over six innings in Game 1. Cleveland’s offense managed only three runs on Saturday, and it will need to give Messick some support early.
Messick has been terrific against the Rays all year, allowing just two earned runs over 18 1/3 innings in three starts. With Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis and Erik Sabrowski all rested, Vogt will have his best relievers available behind him.
Game 5 is set for 5 p.m. on Sunday at Progressive Field. The winner will move one victory away from facing the Milwaukee Brewers in the World Series, with the series shifting back to Tropicana Field for Game 6 on Monday.
NEXT: Guardians’ ALCS Hopes Now Rest On Two Arms
