Rested Rays Take On Tired Guardians In ALCS Opener

Rest Against Fatigue

The Cleveland Guardians come into Monday's American League Championship Series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays with very little rest. Cleveland celebrated late into the night after defeating the Chicago White Sox in Game 5 before flying straight to St. Petersburg.

Shortstop Brayan Rocchio said he only managed about 30 minutes of sleep on the flight to Florida. Manager Stephen Vogt picked Foster Griffin to start Game 1 just half an hour before their Sunday workout. Griffin did not start in the previous series, working two and two thirds innings in relief during Game 3.

Rays Prepared And Well Rested

The Tampa Bay Rays have had a completely different buildup to the series. Tampa Bay has enjoyed four days of rest after clinching their spot last Wednesday.

Drew Rasmussen will start Game 1 for the Rays on eight days of rest. He last pitched against the New York Yankees on October 3. Rays manager Kevin Cash announced Rasmussen as the starter early on, giving him time to mentally prepare.

Rays pitcher Griffin Jax noted that the extra rest gives their bullpen a needed break after a long 162 game season. Jax acknowledged the debate between rest and rust, but said players would always choose the chance to get a breather.

Common History Between Teams

Both organizations share plenty of history and similar working styles. Cash worked for Cleveland before taking over at Tampa Bay, while Vogt began his playing career with the Rays back in 2012.

Slugger Junior Caminero was originally signed by Cleveland in 2019 before being traded to Tampa Bay in 2021 for Tobias Myers. Speaking during Sunday's workout, Caminero joked about facing his former team, stating half seriously that now they will pay.

Pitching Updates And Absences

Cleveland will have to wait to deploy their top starting pitchers. Gavin Williams threw five and two thirds innings on Saturday and likely cannot start until Game 3. Parker Messick could start Game 2 for Cleveland.

Tampa Bay will be without left hander Shane McClanahan for the rest of the postseason. Cash confirmed that McClanahan is shut down to keep him safe for next season, despite recovering from forearm tightness that kept him out since early September. McClanahan posted a 3.36 ERA across 24 starts this year.