A pivotal Game 5 in the American League Championship Series is on deck for the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians.

With the ALCS between the Rays and Guardians tied at 2-2, the winner of Game 5 on Sunday, Oct. 18, will be one victory away from the World Series.

First pitch is set for 4 p.m. from Progressive Field in Cleveland.

Following the game, the series then heads back to Florida for Game 6 on Monday, Oct. 19. There is no off day the rest of the series due to a weather postponement earlier in the series. The World Series starts Friday, Oct. 23, with the winner of the ALCS to meet the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Rays and Guardians have alternated wins in the series. Tampa Bay tied the ALCS in Game 4 from chilly Cleveland with a 7-3 victory by attacking the Guardians' bullpen in their best offensive showing of the series and getting a strong pitching performance by starter Nick Martinez.

In Game 5, former Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Drew Rasmussen, who led the Rays in wins this season, takes the mound for Tampa Bay, while the Guardians will counter with Parker Messick, who boasted the Guardians' lowest ERA among starters. Rasmussen last pitched in Game 1 of the series, while Messick started Game 2.

Here's what to know about the ALCS, including start time for Game 5, where to watch, probable pitchers and an updated bracket.

What time is the Rays vs Guardians game today?

Game 5 of the series between the Rays and the Guardians is at 4 p.m. CT Sunday, Oct. 17, at Progressive Field in Cleveland.

Where to watch Guardians vs Rays: TV, live stream

TBS and truTV will televise the Tampa Bay Rays vs Cleveland Guardians in Game 5 of the ALCS with Sling a streaming option.

Rays vs Guardians playoff schedule, game times

Rays vs Guardians probable pitchers

• Rays' Drew Rasmussen (16-5 regular season, 2.67 ERA) vs. Guardians' Parker Messick (12-9, 2.56)  

Who is in the MLB playoffs?

One team is remaining in the National League and two teams are remaining in the American League (seed in parentheses):

• Milwaukee Brewers (1), advanced to the World Series

• Tampa Bay Rays (1)

• Cleveland Guardians (2)

MLB playoffs format

MLB playoff bracket

Here's the full bracket for the 2026 MLB playoffs as of Oct. 17:

National League

See the National League results:

NL wild-card round

Best of three, seeds in parentheses

NL Division Series

Best of five

NL Championship Series

Best of seven

American League

See the American League results:

AL wild-card round

Best of three, seeds in parentheses

AL Division Series

Best of five

AL Championship Series

Best of seven

2026 World Series

Best of seven

• Milwaukee Brewers vs. AL champion