Rays Beat Guardians to Reach World Series for Third Time

Summary:

• Junior Caminero and Yandy Díaz hit two-run home runs as the Tampa Bay Rays won its third consecutive game to clinch the American League pennant.
• Freddy Peralta earned ALCS MVP honors after allowing one run in 5 1/3 innings in Game 6 and contributing in two earlier games.
• The Rays will meet the Milwaukee Brewers in the World Series, with Game 1 scheduled for Friday in Milwaukee.

The Tampa Bay Rays are getting ready for the 2026 World Series after defeating the Cleveland Guardians 7-3 in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series on Monday night.

Kevin Cash’s side completed major comeback followed the team’s two-folded drop in the series.

The Chase for the First World Series Championship, Underway

Junior Caminero and Yandy Díaz each hit two-run home runs, while Freddy Peralta delivered 5 1/3 innings to help Tampa Bay secure its third World Series appearance in the franchise’s 29-season history.

The Rays will face the Milwaukee Brewers, with Game 1 scheduled for Friday night in Milwaukee. Both franchises are chasing their first World Series championship.

“We got one more bite!” manager Kevin Cash told his players as the clubhouse celebration began.

Tampa Bay had to fight its way through the series after falling behind 1-0 and 2-1 before winning three consecutive games. The Rays had previously swept the New York Yankees in the Division Series.

They Couldn’t Take the Lead

Richie Palacios gave Tampa Bay an early advantage with a two-run double in the second inning, and a sacrifice fly by Jonny DeLuca made it 3-0 in the third.

Cleveland got on the scoreboard in the sixth through an RBI single by Nathaniel Lowe. The Guardians continued to threaten late in the game, scoring twice in the seventh to cut the deficit to 4-3 and loading the bases with two outs.

Kevin Kelly entered the game and struck out Brayan Rocchio to end the threat, leaving Cleveland unable to take the lead.

Junior Caminero then provided breathing room in the bottom of the seventh, launching his first career postseason home run off closer Cade Smith to make it 5-1. The ball struck the left-field foul pole.

The 22-year-old had hit 42 home runs during the regular season but needed 33 at-bats to record his first homer of the postseason.

Díaz added another two-run shot in the eighth inning, delivering on his promise to win Game 6 after making the prediction through an interpreter on Sunday.

Peralta, named ALCS MVP, allowed one run and five hits in 5 1/3 innings. He also pitched six scoreless innings in Game 2 and recorded two important outs in relief during Game 4.

The loss extended Cleveland’s World Series championship drought to 78 years.

The victory was particularly meaningful for Tampa Bay, which returned to Tropicana Field after playing its 2025 home games at the New York Yankees’ spring training complex following hurricane damage to its regular stadium.