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The Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians are back at it for a pivotal Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Friday at 8 p.m. ET at Progressive Field.
Cleveland will be facing a Rays squad that will be determined to avoid a 3-1 hole in the series after letting the previous game slip away. Tampa Bay fell just short of the Guardians by a score of 3-2.
Tampa Bay received a good showing from Tyler Wells, who tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs on one hit. Wells had some trouble finding his footing against Cleveland on Monday, so this was a nice turnaround.
The Rays struggled to read pitches and finished the game with 13 strikeouts, their most since March 30, when they struck out 14 times vs. Milwaukee — the opponent Tampa Bay is striving to face in the World Series.
At the plate, José Ramírez has been Cleveland’s hottest hitter, going 6-for-12 through the first three games, while Chase DeLauter is 4-for-10 with a home run, two doubles, and two RBIs. Tampa Bay has received its steadiest production from Jonny DeLuca, who leads the Rays with four hits, while Chandler Simpson delivered their biggest hit in Game 3 with a two-run triple.
How to WatchTampa Bay Rays at Cleveland Guardians
Date: Oct. 16, 2026
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Venue: Progressive Field
TV: TBS, truTV, HBO Max
Streaming: Stream on Fubo
Buy tickets: Buy Rays at Guardians tickets on Gametime
MatchupProbable Starting Pitcher Analysis
Nick Martinez TB
2026 Season Stats: 15-6 | 3.14 ERA | 1.11 WHIP | 5.5 K/9
No decision in last start on Oct. 7 @ NYY: 3 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 5 H
1.3 walks per nine innings this season; 2.3 last season
Starts for the first time since Oct. 7
Last start vs. CLE (July 25, home): (W) 6 IP, 0 ER, 4 H
Shawn Armstrong CLE
Shawn Armstrong: first start this season
0-0, 0.00 ERA in last six appearances; 3-1, 4.15 ERA in prior 39 games
4.3 walks per nine innings this season; 2.4 last season
2025 Season Stats: 4-2 | 1.82 ERA | 0.76 WHIP | 9.0 K/9
BettingTampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Guardians Odds
MoneylineRun LineOver / UnderTB -114 / CLE -107TB -1.56.5
Betting lines as of 10/16/2026 at 12:19 p.m. ET. Odds subject to change.
Stat CheckTampa Bay Rays: Who’s Hot, Who’s Not
Who’s Hot
No players currently match our analysis around current trends.
Who’s Not
COLD Chandler Simpson
0 walks in 18 straight games
COLD Liam Hicks
Previous Game: 0-3, 2 K
.217/.288/.283 since Sept. 9; .288/.372/.446 in prior 128 games
COLD Taylor Walls
.125/.125/.167 in last seven games; .223/.310/.297 in prior 117 games
Previous Game: 0-3, 2 K
Stat CheckCleveland Guardians: Who’s Hot, Who’s Not
Who’s Hot
HOT José Ramírez
.458/.519/.833 in last six games; .230/.317/.360 in prior 127 games
HOT Patrick Bailey
.389/.450/.722 in last six games; .206/.271/.333 in prior 106 games
HOT Petey Halpin
4-11 in last four games; .223/.271/.324 in prior 69 games
Who’s Not
COLD Steven Kwan
0 extra-base hits in eight straight games
Previous Game: 0-4
COLD Travis Bazzana
2-14 in last four games; .242/.334/.405 in prior 128 games
Previous Game: 0-3
COLD Nathaniel Lowe
.216/.279/.338 since Aug. 9; .269/.343/.488 in prior 84 games
Recent FormLast 10 Games for Tampa Bay Rays (6-4)
Recent FormLast 10 Games for Cleveland Guardians (6-4)
PredictionFinal Score for Tampa Bay Rays @ Cleveland Guardians on Oct. 16, 2026
Rays 3 – Guardians 5
Lean: Guardians
We’ll take the Guardians with Nick Martinez still looking for answers after a rough last start.
Disclosure: Some or all of this content may have been generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, AI can occasionally produce incorrect information. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
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