The American League Championship Series between the Cleveland Guardians and Tampa Bay Rays has been about as close as a series can get. After four games, the teams are tied at two wins apiece, and every game has come down to a handful of key moments. Cleveland won Games 1 and 3, while Tampa Bay took Games 2 and 4, including a 7-3 win at Progressive Field on Saturday night that evened the series. With the winner moving on to face the Milwaukee Brewers in the World Series, everyone in Cleveland is trying to figure out how this one will finish. On 92.3 The Fan’s postgame recap with Andy Baskin, Daryl Ruiter offered his prediction, and he does not expect this series to end anytime soon.
“I get that feeling this has 7 games written all over it,” Ruiter said.
"I get that feeling this has 7 games written all over it."
"You've got Parker Messic and then Gavin Williams…now you're in good shape."
➡️ @RuiterWrongFAN and @andy_baskin recap the Game 4 of the ALCS, #Guardians and #Rays now tied 2-2
🎥 Watch the FULL recap here:… pic.twitter.com/rZ0iGLW70L
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) October 18, 2026
During the recap, the pair also pointed to Cleveland’s pitching as a reason for optimism, noting that with Parker Messick and Gavin Williams lined up, the Guardians are in good shape for the stretch run of the series.
It is easy to see why Ruiter believes this will go the distance. These two teams have been nearly impossible to separate. Game 1 was tied 2-2 heading into the eighth inning before Cleveland pulled away. Game 2 was a 3-1 Rays win decided by unearned runs, and Game 3 was a 3-2 Guardians win that came down to Cade Smith striking out Yandy Díaz with the tying run on third base in the eighth. Even Saturday’s game was within two runs entering the ninth inning.
The Rays won 98 games during the regular season and took five of six meetings between the teams. The Guardians, meanwhile, have made a habit of winning close games and responding when their backs are against the wall. When two teams that are evenly matched collide, a Game 7 always feels possible.
The pitching outlook supports the idea that Cleveland can handle a long series. Messick will start Game 5 on Sunday at Progressive Field against Rays ace Drew Rasmussen. The rookie has allowed just two earned runs over 18 1/3 innings against Tampa Bay this season. Williams, who has 44 strikeouts through the first five postseason starts of his career, is lined up to pitch later in the series, potentially in a Game 7 on four days of rest. Cleveland’s top relievers, including Smith, Hunter Gaddis and Erik Sabrowski, are also well rested after sitting out Game 4.
There is one catch to a seven game series for Cleveland. Games 6 and 7 will both be played at Tropicana Field, where the Guardians split the first two games of the series. Cleveland fans also know how painful Game 7s can be, having watched the franchise lose Game 7 of the World Series in extra innings in both 1997 and 2016. A trip to the World Series earned in a Game 7 on the road would be a fitting way to flip that script.
The schedule offers no breathing room. Because of Friday’s rainout, the teams will play on Sunday, Monday and, if needed, Tuesday without an off day in between. Historically, teams that tie a best of seven series at 2-2 have gone on to win it 33 out of 69 times, so this is as close to a coin flip as it gets.
NEXT: One Guardians Rookie Found His October Swing In Game 4
