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Guardians-Rays ALCS Position Breakdown
Cleveland's strikeout record and Tampa Bay's contact focus set up a tight ALCS clash.
In brief
Cleveland's strikeout record and Tampa Bay's contact focus set up a tight ALCS clash. The Rays edge the Guardians in position-by-position analysis for the American League Championship Series. Originally reported by Mlb.
Cleveland's Strikeout Record
Cleveland pitchers struck out 21 batters, the most in a nine-inning postseason or regular-season game in mlb history.
Rays' Contact Focus
The rays have the fewest strikeouts and lowest swing-and-miss rate in the majors.
ALCS Game 1 Date
Alcs game 1: 8 p.m. et on tbs/tru tv/unimas/hbo max.
Catcher: Liam Hicks
Liam hicks posted an .819 ops in 41 games with the rays after being acquired from the marlins at the trade deadline.
Catcher: Patrick Bailey
Patrick bailey and austin hedges have the least-valuable defensive seasons of their careers.
First Base: Jonathan Aranda
Jonathan aranda launched a career-high 22 home runs and won a postseason game with his bat.
First Base: Nathaniel Lowe
Nathaniel lowe posted a 126 ops+ in 83 games with the reds compared to a 83 ops+ in 43 games with the guardians.
Second Base: Travis Bazzana
Travis bazzana posted a 110 ops+ with six home runs and a .613 slugging percentage in september.
Second Base: Ben Williamson
Ben williamson is the logical platoon bat against left-handed pitching but has played in just five games since aug 5.
Shortstop: Brayan Rocchio
Brayan rochio was one of the ten most valuable shortstops in baseball with a 99 ops+ and 15 home runs.
Shortstop: Taylor Walls
Taylor walls has the fourth most bunt hits and twelve sacrifice bunts in mlb history.
Third Base: José Ramírez
José ramírez propelled the guardians into the alcs with a vintage performance in games 3-5 of the alds.
Left Field: Angel Martínez
Angel martínez went 0-for-15 in the alds and rode the pine in game 5 with steven kwan shifting over.
Left Field: Chandler Simpson
Chandler simpson is one of the game's most impactful baserunners and the second-toughest player to strike out.
Center Field: Steven Kwan
Steven kwan put a subpar first half behind him by hitting .353 with an .875 ops after the all-star break.
Right Field: Victor Mesa Jr.
Victor mesa jr. launched the game-winning home run off max fried in game 3 of the alds.
Designated Hitter: Yandy Díaz
Yandy díaz remains wildly productive with a 24% better than league average production.
Starting Pitchers: Rays
Drew rasmussen carried a no-hit bid through 7 2/3 innings in game 1 of the alds.
Starting Pitchers: Guardians
Gavin williams recorded 12 strikeouts in game 5 of the alds, tied for the second-most k's in a winner-take-all postseason game.
Relief Pitchers: Cleveland
Cade smith struck out 107 batters in 74 innings in the regular season and recorded 10 of 13 outs via the k in the alds.
The headline
The Rays edge the Guardians in position-by-position analysis for the American League Championship Series.
