MLB Baseball
2026-10-15 - Tampa Bay Rays at Cleveland Guardians
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : MLB Playoff AL Championship Series Game 3
Thursday 15th October 2026 - Scheduled 1pm EST
6pm (British Time)
Preview
Mistakes are amplified in the Playoffs and failing to pick up a ball hopping towards him meant Jose Ramirez was guilty of the biggest mistake in Game 2 of this American League Championship Series. Picking the ball up would likely have led to the Out to get out of an awkward Inning, but instead the failure allowed the Tampa Bay Rays to score a run and then find a big Hit to score another couple.
It proved to be the key runs in a tight game and the Tampa Bay Rays have been able to level up the Series with the Cleveland Guardians before the move to the latter.
Poor weather is going to have an impact on this Series having played in the dome of Tropicana Field to open and that has meant a decision has been made to push this Game 3 forward. Instead of the evening slot, the Cleveland Guardians will be hosting in a day spot and that may be good news for starting pitcher Gavin Williams who has been much stronger in the day than under the lights.
This will be the fourth appearance in the Playoffs for Gavin Williams, which is a surprise when you think the Cleveland Guardians are about to play an eighth post-season game. He has been scheduled for this Game 3 spot so the Guardians can at least call upon Williams in any Game 7 that may need to be played, although The Big Rig has shown he is willing to come out of the bullpen when needed.
Gavin Williams has a 1-0 record and 1.54 ERA in his three appearances in the Playoffs, while he did not give up an earned run in a regular season start that went deep into the 8th Inning against the Tampa Bay Rays.
The starting pitcher will be looking for some support from the batting lineup who have not been as effective at home as they have been on the road. It will help in easing some pressure that will be on Williams, but the Guardians may have to face a number of different arms in Game 3.
Tampa Bay will begin with Griffin Jax who has made twenty-three of his thirty-four appearances in 2026 in a starter role.
Griffin Jax pitched 2 Innings out of the bullpen against the New York Yankees in the Divisional Round and allowed a run in his time on the mound.
This will be the first time Griffin Jax has faced the Cleveland Guardians in 2026, but he did begin his Major League career with the Minnesota Twins and so is familiar pitching in this ballpark. In twenty-seven career appearances against the Guardians, Jax holds a 3.89 ERA, although he will be aware that this Game 3 could be turned over to the bullpen pretty quickly.
Prediction
The Playoffs are determined by very small margins and there was very little between the teams in Game 2.
The weather could end up playing a bit part in Game 3, but the Cleveland Guardians have to be confident that Gavin Williams can continue his strong post-season form and give them the platform from which they can succeed.
Griffin Jax is likely in an opener role for the Rays, but the Number 1 Seed need to show a bit more Offensive pop and the Guardians can recover the lead in the American League Championship Series.
The Pick :
Cleveland Guardians 5-2 Tampa Bay Rays
