Rays, Guardians to play ALCS Game 3 in afternoon with rain forecast Thursday night

Game 3 of the AL Championship Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians is set to begin at 1 p.m. on Thursday due to the possibility of rain in Cleveland on Thursday night. Major League Baseball adjusted the start time by five hours to ensure the series stays on track. The match will still be televised on TBS and other TNT Sports channels. The best-of-seven series is currently tied at 1-1 following the Rays' 3-1 win on Tuesday. Cleveland captured the opening game on Monday.

Tampa Bay will utilize right-hander Griffin Jax for the start of the game. Jax (8-10, 3.52 ERA) pitched two innings of relief in the Division Series against the New York Yankees, striking out four and allowing one run. Cleveland will likely rely on starter Gavin Williams (14-8, 3.76 ERA), who led the American League in strikeouts.

Williams started Games 2 and 5 of the series against the White Sox, tossing an inning in relief in Game 4 and recording 24 strikeouts over 11 2/3 innings, conceding two runs and hitting six batters. The game's start time remains at 6 p.m. on Friday, with Saturday's first pitch scheduled for 8 p.m.