If any team deserves the benefit of the doubt facing a game that could end their season, it is the Cleveland Guardians. They have proven time and time again that it is foolish to count them out until their demise is official.
So, facing elimination in Game 6 of the ALCS on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday likely doesn’t scare anyone on the Guardians. In fact, they were in a similar position just two weeks ago, traveling to play the Chicago White Sox just one loss away from bowing out in the ALDS.
That is why analyst Ken Carman is pushing back on the pessimism of Guardians fans after their Game 5 loss to the Rays on Sunday, reminding them that “the series isn’t over.”
“I did not go to bed sad. We still got two games left to go in the series, at least one. We can get a win tonight. Why are you so sad about? The series isn’t over. What are we so sad about? That doesn’t mean you gotta be sad. You can be concerned. It’s not over. The series isn’t over. You can be concerned. You’re not supposed to be sad. Are they sad? Are the Guardians sad? They still can figure out their World Series plans. The series is not over. It’s 3-2,” Carman said.
“Why be sad? If they win, the series continues.”
➡️ @KenCarman can’t understand why @SportsBoyTony is letting the Guardians’ Game 5 loss ruin the mood after a #Browns win. 😂
Can Cleveland fans even enjoy the Browns right now? 😭#Guardians https://t.co/jWDwDxZ15c pic.twitter.com/VNCK9uNpE1
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) October 19, 2026
Of course, those fans would have preferred that the Guardians ended the series at Progressive Field, which they could have done with wins in Games 4 and 5. Instead, after winning Game 3, Cleveland lost the next two and now must visit Tropicana Field with its season on the line.
Now, those fans must also deal with the fact that ace Gavin Williams will not be Cleveland’s starting pitcher in Game 6, with opener Shawn Armstrong getting the call instead. Manager Stephen Vogt has decided not to use his ace on short rest, holding out hope that a bullpen game can get the Guardians a victory that will force a Game 7 on Tuesday.
Vogt may be drawing on the strong history of his resilient team. In 2025, the Guardians overcame a historic 15.5-game deficit in the standings to win the AL Central. This year, the gap was just six games, and Cleveland again rallied in the final month to capture the division. Then, in the ALDS, Cleveland lost the first two games to Chicago at home before authoring another historic comeback with three straight wins.
Now, the Guardians will try to become the seventh team to win Games 6 and 7 of an ALCS on the road since it went to the expanded format in 1985.
NEXT: Guardians Have The Odds Stacked Against Them Ahead Of Game 6
