Cleveland Leads ALCS 2-1 After Defeating Tampa Bay

The Cleveland Guardians have taken a 2-1 lead in the American League Championship Series (ALCS, best-of-seven) of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Cleveland secured a 3-2 comeback victory against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 3 of the ALCS held today (October 16) at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio, USA.

Historically, in MLB postseason series tied 1-1 under the best-of-seven format up to last year, the team winning Game 3 went on to win the series 70 percent of the time (71 out of 102 instances).

Cleveland, leading 1-0 in the fourth inning, gave up the lead after allowing a two-run triple to Chandler Simpson of Tampa Bay.

However, in the bottom of the fifth inning, Petey Halpin reclaimed the lead with a go-ahead, two-run home run to right-center field, holding on to win the game.

Cleveland closer Cade Smith, who pitched 1 and 1/3 scoreless innings with two strikeouts to earn the save, has appeared in 19 of Cleveland's 21 postseason games since 2024, anchoring the bullpen and closing out games.

Smith's career postseason statistics stand at 2 wins, 0 losses, 1 hold, 2 saves, and a 2.01 ERA.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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