ALCS Game 4 Postponed Due to Rain

Game 4 of the American League Championship Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians was postponed Friday night due to heavy rain in Cleveland. Major League Baseball had hoped for a dry window to play the game, but persistent showers ultimately led to the decision.

"It never cleared out the way they were hoping. It started to get later in the hour, and MLB and I think both clubs did everything they could to try to get it in," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "Made the most sense, like, at this point and this hour, with no guarantee that there wasn’t another band coming."

The postponement marks the first time an ALCS game has been called off due to weather since 2019. The series will now continue on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET, with Game 5 scheduled for Sunday at 5 p.m. at Progressive Field. If necessary, Game 6 will be played Monday in St. Petersburg, Florida.

"We knew how many days ago that today was going to be a challenge. Numerous weather calls, numerous back and forths, and ultimately MLB decided we needed to wait it out," Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. "Obviously it’s an important game, and we need to make sure we’re doing everything we can to play the games when they’re scheduled. But MLB ultimately decided to wait this one out."

The Guardians currently lead the best-of-seven series 2-1 after a 3-2 victory in Game 3. Both teams plan to stick with their originally scheduled starting pitchers for Game 4. Cleveland will begin with a bullpen game, featuring Shawn Armstrong as the opener, while Nick Martinez is slated to pitch for Tampa Bay.

Armstrong, a right-hander, has appeared in five postseason games this year, allowing only one hit and striking out five batters in 5 1/3 innings. He rejoined the Guardians this season after a career that included stints with multiple organizations. Martinez, who posted a 15-6 record with a 3.10 ERA in the regular season, started Game 3 of the Division Series.

Should the series extend to Game 7, it would be played on Tuesday, potentially giving the winner a short turnaround before the World Series begins on Oct. 23. The Milwaukee Brewers, who recently swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Championship Series, are awaiting the winner of the ALCS.