ALCS Game 2: Takeaways, updates from Guardians-Rays

Oct 13, 2026, 11:00 PM ET

The Tampa Bay Rays have evened the series against the Cleveland Guardians.

After Cleveland came back to win Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Monday, the Rays delivered at home in Game 2, riding a three-run fourth inning to victory and tying the series 1-1. The ALCS will shift to Cleveland now, with Game 3 on Thursday.

We have postgame analysis and all the game action from St. Petersburg.

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Series tied 1-1

It was over when … Tampa Bay had runners at first and third and two outs in the fourth inning, the game scoreless, and Ben Williamson chopped a grounder toward third baseman Jose Ramirez. The Guardians’ All-Star third baseman anticipated a short hop, but the ball appeared to hit the edge of the artificial surface and rolled between his legs, an error. Ramirez bent over with frustration. That was the first run, and two more scored when Liam Hicks singled in the following at-bat. — Buster Olney

Game 2 star: Freddy Peralta was filling up the zone from the word “go.” He threw first-pitch strikes to the first seven batters, finishing with a whopping 68 strikes out of the 99 total pitches he threw (69%). — Jesse Rogers

The stat that defined the game: The strikes just kept coming for Peralta, who threw first-pitch strikes to 17 of the 24 batters he faced. Over his six innings, his ability to consistently get ahead in the count allowed him to do what he does best: climb the strike zone with his fastball and coax opponents to chase. — Olney

What it means for the rest of the series: The win gives the Rays a little cushion, knowing that as long as they don’t get swept in Cleveland in Games 3-5, they’ll have Peralta back on the mound at Tropicana Field in an elimination game. Whether that’s to win the series or to stay alive will be determined later this week. Either way, Tampa Bay has an ace up its sleeve — the guy who just pitched like one in Game 2. — Rogers

Highlights from Tampa Bay’s win

Rays win Game 2 at the Trop

Bryan Baker closes out the Rays’ ALCS Game 2 win! https://t.co/5UVZSpc0rr
— MLB (@MLB) October 14, 2026

Guardians get on the board in the 7th

Chase DeLauter gets the Guardians on the board! https://t.co/kkWU0v27um
— MLB (@MLB) October 14, 2026

Peralta’s night is over after 6 scoreless innings

Freddy Peralta is done after 6 scoreless. Just a powerful outing by him. He averaged a season high 96.9 mph on his fastball while throwing the hardest pitch (99.4) of his season to Jo Adell back in the 5th. He now has a 0.81 ERA over his last 8 starts (reg season/playoffs).
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) October 14, 2026

Hicks tacks on another 2 runs