Fastrack · Rasmussen Shines as Rays Beat Guardians 3-1

Drew Rasmussen allowed one run over seven innings as the Rays beat the Guardians 3-1 on Sunday. Tampa Bay leads the ALCS 3-2.

3 runs came one at a time in the first three innings.
2 innings for Guardians rookie Parker Messick, the shortest start of his career.
1.29 ERA for Rasmussen across three postseason starts, with a 2-0 record.
35 straight save chances converted by Rays closer Bryan Baker.

Why it matters: Tampa Bay is one of five franchises that have never won a World Series. Cleveland last won it in 1948.

Road teams winning Game 5 for a 3-2 lead have won four of five such ALCS.
A pennant would be the Rays' third and first since 2020.

The story so far

23 steps · since Oct 7

Oct 7–14
Oct 151:37 AMBrewers Sweep Dodgers to Reach World Series30 sources
Oct 15–17
Oct 1812:43 AMRasmussen Shines as Rays Beat Guardians 3-1You are here
Oct 184:23 PMRays Clinch AL Pennant, Will Face Brewers in World Series31 sources
Oct 189:55 PMBrewers and Rays Set for World Series Showdown27 sources
Oct 23Misiorowski Sets World Series Record With 103.5 mph Pitch9 sourcesLatest

How 19 sources split on this story

Source landscape

Factuality

High

Mixed

Low

Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right

Political Bias

Coverage by lean% of 19 sources

19 sources · 41 articles · 63% Center coverage

Where they split: Accounts differ on Cleveland's lone run: Fox News reported an infield groundout in the sixth, while The Boston Globe reported a Chase DeLauter RBI single in the seventh.

Center coverage, 12 sources: The center treats the game as a pivotal swing in a tied series, focusing on schedule, lineups and stakes.

USA Today1w+Rays one win away from World Series, shop Game 6 ALCS tickets for Monday in Tampa Bay Reuters1w+Freddy Peralta, Rays look to finish off Guardians, reach World Series ESPN1w+Rasmussen's gem puts Rays on cusp of World Series Heavy1w+Guardians’ Cade Smith Decision Might Be a Mistake WFLA News Channel 81w+Rasmussen shines as the Rays beat the Guardians 3-1 in Game 5 to take a 3-2 ALCS lead Associated Press1w+Rasmussen shines as the Rays beat the Guardians 3-1 in Game 5 to take a 3-2 ALCS lead CTV News1w+Rasmussen shines as Rays beat Guardians in Game 5 to take 3-2 ALCS lead Japan Times1w+Rays beat Guardians in Game 5 to take another step toward World Series News 5 Cleveland (WEWS)1w+Rays beat the Guardians 3-1 in Game 5 to take a 3-2 ALCS lead Newsweek1w+Rays All-Star calls his shot 1 win away from World Series berth PennLive1w+How to watch Guardians vs. Rays ALCS Game 5 tonight on free streams, TV The Columbus Dispatch1w+How to watch Cleveland Guardians vs Tampa Bay Rays in ALCS Game 5

Left coverage, 4 sources: The left centers Rasmussen as the Rays' ace and the steady force behind Tampa Bay's push toward the pennant.

The Boston Globe1w+Drew Rasmussen shines as Rays move one win away from AL pennant Tampa Bay Times1w+Rays excited to start ‘Fastball Freddy’ with World Series berth on line Cleveland.com1w+Where have all the Guardians’ starting pitchers gone this postseason?The Guardian1w+Rays on verge of World Series return after Rasmussen dazzles in win over Guardians

Right coverage, 3 sources: The right frames the game as a Rasmussen-driven Rays win that leaves Cleveland's offense needing a fix, with betting angles added.

Fox News1w+Tampa Bay Rays move one win from World Series after Drew Rasmussen dominates Cleveland Guardians New York Post1w+Drew Rasmussen dominates Guardians in Game 5 to move Rays win away from World Series One America News1w+Guardians need 2 road wins to overcome deficit against Rays, just like they did against White Sox

What’s next: Game 6 is Monday at Tropicana Field. A rainout removed the off day between games.

The World Series opens Friday, Oct. 23, in Milwaukee.
Who will start Game 6 for each team after both bullpens were used heavily?
Can Cleveland's offense, held to five hits Sunday, recover on the road?