We saw the end of a dynasty on Thursday night. I suppose if you’re a Los Angeles Dodgers hater, you’re happy. If you’re a fan of the “small market” club, then you’re happy as well.
Baseball is one of those things where it almost doesn’t matter who you have on the team. Just like in hockey, whichever team hits wins the game. We are now assured of two teams being in the bottom half of the league in payroll, representing the league in the World Series. The Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians play Game 3 on Friday night.
The Rays came into this series as the best team in the American League. Their regular season saw them win 98 games and take the top spot in the League. They swept the New York Yankees in the ALDS and didn’t even really sweat in that series. Now they are down 2-1 after having the lead in all three games. It is hard to close out games in the playoffs, but the Guardians seem to have the same never-say-die mentality that the Milwaukee Brewers have. Their hitting really hasn’t been bad, and their pitching has been strong, but the Guardians have just been a bit better in both areas.
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Tampa Bay Rays’ Chandler Simpson celebrates a two-run triple against the Cleveland Guardians during the fourth inning in Game 3 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in Cleveland, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Tonight, the Rays send out Nick Martinez to the hill. In the regular season, Martinez went 15-6 with a 3.10 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. Those numbers were all top-15 in baseball. He made the first road start of the ALDS against New York, and he allowed two earned runs over 3.2 innings on five hits. The good news for Tampa fans is that Martinez has been elite against the Guardians this season. He has two starts this year against Cleveland, and he allowed seven hits and no walks in 13 scoreless innings this season. Jose Ramirez is 1-for-11 against him.
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The Guardians were technically the second-ranked team in the American League, but based on record, they were lower. Cleveland struggled in the first round, losing the first two games to the Chicago White Sox. However, they found a way to make it work, getting the final three games of the series and advancing to face the Rays. The Guardians offense has been a bit inconsistent in the postseason, but they have won games in a multitude of ways.
Cleveland Guardians’ Petey Halpin celebrates after a two-run home run during the fifth inning in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series against the Tampa Bay Rays in Cleveland on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
Cleveland hasn’t made a decision on who will start today. It is possible they send Tanner Bibee to the mound. Bibee didn’t have a great season, but it wasn’t terrible, either. He had a 4.36 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP for the year. He has only seen one out of work for the postseason. It was in the 9-5 Guardians win over the Chicago White Sox, and he allowed two earned runs and two walks.
He has 11 innings against the Rays this season, and has allowed four earned runs. The numbers make me think he will be in the bullpen if he doesn’t start, but the team is likely to do a bullpen game overall.
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Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off home run in the ninth inning to defeat the Athletics 2-1 at Tropicana Field on Sept. 15, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (Getty Images)
This series really will come down to whichever team can get the big hit. There are so many matchups that managers set up with their pitchers that most hitters don’t have the edge. You can’t expect either team to put up a ton of runs, but I think Martinez starting today should give the Rays the advantage.
Tampa won’t be facing Parker Messick, Gavin Williams, or Foster Griffin in this game. I think their hitting can get to the Guardians bullpen, and I think Martinez gives them a small advantage. Give me the Rays to even the series today.
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