Guardians turn to Armstrong to open Game 6 with season on the line
The Cleveland Guardians will start reliever Shawn Armstrong in Game 6 against the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night.
The Cleveland Guardians will start reliever Shawn Armstrong in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series on Monday night.
The Tampa Bay Rays lead the series 3-2 and can clinch a trip to the World Series with a win.
The Rays will start Freddy Peralta, who has a 0.79 ERA and 0.971 WHIP in three games this post-season.
READ MORE: Yankees face elimination, shake up lineup for ALDS Game 3 against Rays
READ MORE: Rays clinch World Series berth, credit Blue Jays' 2025 run as inspiration
Who is starting Game 6 for Cleveland?
Right-handed reliever Shawn Armstrong will open Game 6 for the Guardians, according to The Athletic's Zack Meisel.
It will be Armstrong's second start of the series. He also opened Game 4, pitching a scoreless, hitless inning while striking out one.
Armstrong has yet to allow a run this post-season, striking out six and allowing just two hits over 7.2 innings.
The Guardians bullpen will need to be on their A-game to force a Game 7 in the ALCS.
What is the state of the ALCS?
The Rays hold a 3-2 series lead heading into Monday's game in Cleveland.
The Guardians must win to force a decisive Game 7.
The Rays' lineup for the game includes Yandy Diaz as the designated hitter, Jonathan Aranda at first base, Liam Hicks catching, Junior Caminero at third base, Chandler Simpson in left field, Victor Mesa in right field, Jonny DeLuca in centre field, Richie Palacios at second base and Taylor Walls at shortstop.
The Guardians' projected lineup features Steven Kwan in left field, Jose Ramirez at third base, Chase DeLauter in right field, Jo Adell as the designated hitter, Nathaniel Lowe at first base, Travis Bazzana at second base, Patrick Bailey catching, Petey Halpin in centre field and Brayan Rocchio at shortstop.
The Guardians will look to take a commanding 3-1 series lead, while the Rays attempt to even up the series on the road.
Who are the other potential starters?
The Rays will start Freddy Peralta as they look to clinch the series.
Peralta has been dominant this post-season, with a 0.79 ERA and 0.971 WHIP in three games.
Both series play tonight, as Yamamoto starts for the Dodgers in the NLCS, and Rasmussen starts for the Rays in the ALCS.
What is the broader baseball news?
In other news, Japanese slugger Teruaki Sato is entering the posting system this off-season.
Sato hit .306/.383/.609 with 39 home runs for the Hanshin Tigers last year, after hitting 40 home runs the year before.
The story I read says that the Dodgers, Yankees, Mets, Phillies and Blue Jays are the likely landing spots.
I don't know how likely it is that the Jays will be after him, as he's played mostly third base in his NPB career.
Also, the New York Yankees say that Aaron Boone will return as manager next year.
I didn't think there was much doubt.
Game 6 is scheduled for 8:08 p.m. ET / 5:08 p.m. PT.
With files from Yahoo Sports, Sportsnet and Bluebird Banter