Rays take ALCS lead over Guardians behind dominant Drew Rasmussen start for Game 5 win

The Tampa Bay Rays are one win away from the World Series. The Rays scored early and often against the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday, and held on for a 3-1 win in Game 5 of the ALCS at Progressive Field. Tampa leads the best-of-seven series 3-2. Because of the rainout Friday, there's a quick turnaround — Game 6 is Monday night at Tropicana Field.

Simply put, Tampa's ace pitched like an ace, and Cleveland's ace pitched like a Triple-A callup. Drew Rasmussen chewed through the Guardians up for seven innings while Parker Messick bowed out after two innings. Messick needed 57 pitches to get six outs, which taxed the bullpen heading into a win-or-go-home Game 6. That's not great for the Guardians.

Historically, teams that win Game 5 when a best-of-seven is tied 2-2 have gone on to win the series 67% of the time. That said, the Seattle Mariners (ALCS) and Toronto Blue Jays (World Series) both won Game 5 to take a 3-2 series lead last year, and both then lost the series. The Rays are in the driver's seat, but the ALCS is far from over.

This is hardly the first time the Guardians have faced elimination…

Original source: https://www.cbssports.com/