Guardians vs. Rays Game 4: ALCS Lineups, Pitchers and Start Time
Shawn Armstrong faces his former team as Cleveland attempts to clinch the American League pennant at Progressive Field.
CLEVELAND — The Tampa Bay Rays face elimination Friday night at Progressive Field as the Cleveland Guardians attempt to clinch the American League pennant in Game 4 of the ALCS. First pitch is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET, with a trip to the World Series against the Milwaukee Brewers awaiting the winner.
Cleveland carries a 2-1 series advantage into the game after outfielder Petey Halpin delivered the decisive blow Thursday afternoon. Halpin’s two-run homer off Tampa Bay reliever Griffin Jax in the fifth inning powered a 3-2 victory that shifted the momentum firmly toward the Guardians.
Tampa Bay hands the ball to veteran right-hander Nick Martinez (15-6, 3.10 ERA) to keep its season alive. Martinez has not pitched since the American League Division Series, where he faced the New York Yankees in Game 3. He allowed five hits, two earned runs and one walk while striking out three over 3 2/3 innings in that outing. The extended rest between his ALDS appearance and this start mirrors a strategy increasingly common for postseason pitchers transitioning from bulk-inning roles during the regular season.
The Guardians counter with right-hander Shawn Armstrong (0-0, 4.58 ERA), who will make the first postseason start of his career against the franchise he spent four seasons with. Armstrong logged 131 regular-season appearances for Tampa Bay before joining Cleveland. His familiarity with the Rays’ lineup proved useful in Game 2, when he threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief, allowing one hit and recording one strikeout.
Armstrong’s designation as the starting pitcher signals another bullpen-heavy approach by Cleveland. The Guardians have frequently used openers or short-start strategies throughout October, relying on their depth of high-leverage relievers to navigate the middle and late innings. This tactic places immediate pressure on Tampa Bay’s hitters to generate offense early against an arm they know well, rather than settling into traditional at-bats against a conventional starter working deep into the game.
Progressive Field presents a distinct environmental factor for both clubs. Unlike the climate-controlled confines of Tropicana Field, Cleveland’s ballpark exposes players to mid-October Midwest weather, which can affect ball carry and grip. The Guardians hold a significant home-field edge, having played under these specific late-season conditions all year.
A Cleveland victory would secure the franchise its first World Series appearance since 2016, when it fell to the Chicago Cubs in seven games. For Tampa Bay, a loss ends a postseason run that saw them dispatch the Yankees in the previous round. A win forces a pivotal Game 5 back in Cleveland.
Friday night’s broadcast airs on TBS and truTV. The Guardians confirmed via social media late Friday that the game remains on schedule despite typical October weather concerns in Northeast Ohio.
