The league waited for the rain to stop, and then for the grounds crew to take care of the field so we could have a game on Friday night. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t meant to be.
Game 4 of the American League Championship Series between the Cleveland Guardians and the Tampa Bay Rays had to be postponed, as the field just wasn’t going to be fully ready in time.
“Game 4 between the Guardians and Rays has been postponed because of rain. New schedule for the series: Game 4: Saturday at 8 p.m. Game 5: Sunday at 5 p.m. Game 6: Monday at 8 p.m. Game 7: Tuesday at 8 p.m.,” The Athletic’s Zack Meisel posted.
Game 4 between the Guardians and Rays has been postponed because of rain.
New schedule for the series:
Game 4: Saturday at 8 p.m.
Game 5: Sunday at 5 p.m.
Game 6*: Monday at 8 p.m.
Game 7*: Tuesday at 8 p.m.*if necessary
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) October 17, 2026
The two teams will play Game 4 at Progressive Field on Saturday, starting at 8 pm ET. They both had an extra day off given the circumstances, but the rest of the series will go on with no time to rest.
“Let’s go. Obviously, it’s not ideal. We played four in a row all the time. I think we both wanted to play today, it just wasn’t in the cards. We’ve got four games in-a-row, we’ve got an opportunity to win some games and move on and that’s all we’re focused on. This is what we do,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said after learning about the postponement and the series rearrangement.
"Let's go. Obviously, it's not ideal. We played four in a row all the time. I think we both wanted to play today, it just wasn't in the cards. We've got four games in-a-row, we've got an opportunity to win some games and move on and that's all we're focused on. This is what we… pic.twitter.com/8mAR5h3eo2
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) October 17, 2026
The Guardians announced that fans with tickets to the original Game 4 on Friday can use those same tickets for ALCS Game 5 on Sunday. Those with tickets for the originally scheduled Game 5 on Saturday, October 17, do not need to take any action.
If the series extends beyond the weekend, both squads will need to travel to Tampa to complete it.
Nick Martinez was expected to be the starter for the Rays on Friday, and Shawn Armstrong was slated to be the opener for the Guardians. Vogt confirmed that the plan to start the reliever is still in place for Saturday.
His counterpart, Kevin Cash, also said he will stick with the plan of having Martinez pitch Game 4. The Rays could have skipped him and used Drew Rasmussen instead.
Cleveland is up 2-1 in the best-of-seven affair after winning on Monday and Thursday. The Rays took Tuesday’s game.
Whoever advances will earn the right to play in the 2026 World Series. The Rays have never won it, and the Guardians haven’t lifted the trophy since 1948.
NEXT: Rays Manager Has 'Excellent' Praise For 2 Guardians Pitchers
