The Cleveland Guardians did not leave Tampa Bay with the two wins they hoped for, but they left with exactly what most teams aim for when they open a series on the road. Cleveland stole Game 1 of the American League Championship Series with a 7-3 win on Monday, then dropped a 3-1 decision on Tuesday after a costly fourth-inning error led to three unearned runs. The best of seven series is now tied at one game apiece, and the next three games will be played at Progressive Field. Some fans are still frustrated about the chance that slipped away in Game 2, but longtime Cleveland broadcaster Tony Rizzo is looking at the bigger picture.
On The Tony Rizzo Show on ESPN Cleveland, Rizzo summed up the trip to St. Petersburg in one simple line.
“Mission accomplished, you got 1 out of 2,” Rizzo said.
"Mission accomplished, you got 1 out of 2," – Rizz on the Guardians heading back to Cleveland with the ALCS tied at 1-1.
What are your predictions for the rest of the series? pic.twitter.com/pqFGCil1Qq
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) October 14, 2026
That is the standard goal for any road team in a postseason series, and Cleveland reached it. The Rays entered the ALCS with home field advantage after winning 98 games and the American League East. By splitting the first two games, the Guardians took that advantage away and turned the series into a best-of-five with three games in Cleveland.
The split looks even better considering how the regular season went between these two teams. Tampa Bay won five of the six meetings, including a three game sweep at Tropicana Field in late July. Cleveland also came into the series as a clear underdog, with Las Vegas oddsmakers listing the Guardians at +150 to win the pennant.
Game 1 showed what this team can do when everything clicks. After falling behind 2-0 in the first inning, the Guardians got home runs from Chase DeLauter and Patrick Bailey to tie the game, a go ahead two run single from Nathaniel Lowe in the eighth and three more runs in the ninth. Foster Griffin settled in after a rough first inning, and the bullpen allowed just one run over the final five innings.
Game 2 was a different story, but there were still positives. Parker Messick allowed six hits over five innings and was charged with three runs, none of them earned, after a grounder skipped between José Ramírez’s legs with two outs in the fourth. The offense could not solve Freddy Peralta, but DeLauter stayed hot with an RBI double and two walks. Shawn Armstrong, Tim Herrin and Slade Cecconi also covered the final three innings, which allowed Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis and Erik Sabrowski to rest heading into Game 3.
History still gives a slight edge to the Rays, as teams with home field advantage that split the first two games have gone on to win the series 53.9 percent of the time. But the Guardians have made a habit of beating the numbers this October, coming back from a 2-0 deficit against the White Sox and winning three straight elimination games.
Now they get to do it in front of their own fans. If the Guardians can take care of business at home, they will not have to go back to Tampa Bay at all.
NEXT: Jose Ramirez Quietly Made Franchise History In Game 2
