Rays clinch World Series berth, credit Blue Jays' 2025 run as inspiration

ST. PETERSBURG — The Tampa Bay Rays are headed to the World Series after defeating the Cleveland Guardians 7-3 in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series on Monday.

Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander said his team drew inspiration from the 2025 Toronto Blue Jays, who surged from 74 wins to the World Series a year ago.

"They had 74 wins (in 2024), returned a lot of similar personnel, kind of leaned into the culture, leaned into connection, got that snowball building and they rode it to the World Series," Neander said. "We've used that a lot with our guys."

He added that the Blue Jays' example showed what was possible in the AL East.

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Freddy Peralta, acquired from the New York Mets at the trade deadline, was named ALCS MVP after starring in Games 2 and 6 and making a timely relief appearance in Game 4.

Richie Palacios opened the scoring with a two-run double in the second inning Monday.

Cleveland had a two-run outburst in the eighth inning, but Yandy Diaz responded with a two-run homer in the bottom half to seal the win for Tampa Bay.

The Rays' rotation depth, featuring Drew Rasmussen, Peralta, Nick Martinez and Griffin Jax, proved decisive against a Guardians staff worn down by their division series.

Tampa Bay's lineup also delivered contributions from throughout the order, with Chandler Simpson, Canadian catcher Liam Hicks, Palacios and Jonny DeLuca complementing stars Yandy Diaz, Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero.

Hicks, who was traded from the Miami Marlins, drove in four runs during the series and said the Rays made him feel like family.

"They make it super easy to just come in and they treated me like family, treat me like I've been here all year," Hicks said. "Going to the World Series is huge, it's an unbelievable first year."

The Rays won the AL East with a 98-64 record before sweeping the New York Yankees in the division series.

This marks the franchise's third trip to the World Series and first since 2020, when they lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a pandemic-shortened season played at a neutral site.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said he is excited to play World Series games at home in front of a full crowd.

"That was as special as any season I've been a part of, but saying that, we didn't have 40,000 people behind us," Cash said. "Excited to see what those 40,000 people can bring on Games 3, 4 and 5, for sure."

Game 1 of the World Series against the Milwaukee Brewers is Friday at American Family Field in Milwaukee.

Neander said the Rays were intentional in adding players like Martinez, Steven Matz, Cedric Mullins and Jake Fraley last winter to raise the group.

Peralta said the difference in his performance after joining the Rays has been dramatic, describing it as crazy how life and the game can surprise you.

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt expressed pride in his team despite the loss.

"I couldn't be more proud of our group," said Vogt. "It just hurts. It stings. Really felt like we had a team to go and just weren't."

Cleveland's pitching staff was depleted, using eight pitchers in Game 6 after bullpen-heavy games earlier in the series.

With files from Sportsnet