Game 4 of ALCS between Rays, Guardians postponed due to rain - Sportsnet.ca

CLEVELAND (AP) — Game 4 of the American League Championship Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians was postponed because of rain Friday night. Major League Baseball was hoping there would be a three-hour window of dry weather to get the game in, but the showers never let up. “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 teams will resume their playoff series Saturday at 8 p.m. ET, with Game 5 also at Progressive Field on Sunday at 5 p.m., and Game 6, if necessary, on Monday at 8 p.m. 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.

CLEVELAND (AP) — In a season where Cleveland rookies helped propel to the Guardians to their third straight AL Central title, it was the team’s emotional spark plug that powered the Guardians to a pivotal victory in Game 3 of the AL Championship Series. Petey Halpin hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the fifth inning and followed with a majestic bat flip as the Guardians beat the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 Thursday for a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. “It’s the second time he’s kind of picked us up in a big spot this year. And a really fun moment for him, great swing,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. Halpin watched the ball clear the wall in right-center and then launched his bat over his head and into the sky before rounding the bases. The bat might have gone higher than the 25-degree launch angle on his homer. “I definitely threw it high. I think just the moment and that being for sure the biggest moment of my career, just the energy and the excitement, just kind of let it go,” Halpin said. The home run and the bat flip energized Cleveland’s dugout and the 30,101 fans in attendance at Progressive Field.

Extra rest has helped Gavin Williams dominate in the post-season for the Guardians. Thanks to his latest start and Petey Halpin's homer, Cleveland leads the ALCS, writes Shi Davidi.

A pair of Canadian relievers, Cade Smith and Erik Sabrowski, have been instrumental to the Guardians' post-season success. Shi Davidi has the story on the duo's bond from Cleveland.