# Guardians vs Rays ALCS Rotation Matchup

> Guardians' taxed rotation faces Rays' well-rested pitchers in ALCS opener.
- Title: Guardians vs Rays ALCS Rotation Matchup · Mlb | Shortify
- Summary: Guardians' taxed rotation faces Rays' well-rested pitchers in ALCS opener. Cleveland's Guardians, exhausted from a five-game ALDS series, face Tampa Bay's…
- Keywords: guardians, rays, alcs, mlb, pitching rotation, al division series, al east, sports, Rotation, Matchup
- Source: Mlb — https://mlb.com/news/how-the-guardians-and-rays-rotations-lineup-for-alcs
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: guardians, rays, alcs, mlb, pitching rotation, al division series, al east, sports
## ALCS Game 1
The American League’s top two seeds meet in the best-of-seven AL Championship Series starting Monday at 8 p.m. ET.
## Guardians' Rotation Strain
Cleveland’s pitching rotation is taxed after a five-game ALDS series against the White Sox.
## Game 1 Starter
Foster Griffin, the Guardians’ Game 1 starter, last pitched on Sept. 23 with a 10-hit game against the Red Sox.
## Game 2 Options
The Guardians could use Parker Messick, Tanner Bibee, Joey Cantillo, or Gavin Williams for Game 2 after their ALDS fatigue.
## Rays' Rotation Strategy
Tampa Bay’s Rays will likely use a four-man rotation with Drew Rasmussen as their ace for Game 1.
## Game 1 Pitcher
Drew Rasmussen, the Rays’ ace, has not lost one start since the All-Star Game.
## What Happens Next
The Guardians face a decision on their rotation for Game 2 after Game 1.
## Key takeaway

Cleveland's Guardians, exhausted from a five-game ALDS series, face Tampa Bay's Rays in ALCS Game 1 with differing rotation strategies.