{
  "id": 13803375,
  "title": "Small ball vs. Guards Ball when the Rays and Guardians meet in the ALCS",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/small-ball-vs-guards-ball-when-the-rays-and-guardians-meet-in-the-alcs",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-11T21:22:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/small-ball-vs-guards-ball-212248048.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the upcoming AL Championship Series, the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cleveland Guardians face off, with small ball tactics contrasting the \"Guards Ball\" strategy. Tampa Bay's ace, Drew Rasmussen, leads the pitching staff, while Cleveland's likely starter is lefty Foster Griffin. The Rays, who won an AL-best 98 games, swept New York in the AL Division Series and aim for their third pennant in franchise history. Cleveland, conversely, won 85 games, overcame an 0-2 deficit in the ALDS, and became only the 11th team to do so in a best-of-five playoff series. Both teams prioritize contact at the plate, speed on the bases, strong fundamentals, solid pitching, and any means necessary to secure a win. The Rays' roster was bolstered by trades for Freddy Peralta, Liam Hicks, and Tyler Wells, while Cleveland acquired Foster Griffin, Jo Adell, and Nathaniel Lowe. Tampa Bay dominated the AL with a .258 batting average and fewest strikeouts, while Cleveland hit .239 and had the fifth-fewest strikeouts. Both teams enhanced their rosters at the trade deadline. Rasmussen, a two-time All-Star, has been one of baseball's best pitchers since his return from a shoulder procedure. The series will potentially see familiar pitching matchups and strategies from both sides.",
  "summary": "A pair of low-payroll teams with similar styles will face off in the AL Championship Series. “Guards Ball” when the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cleveland Guardians open their best-of-seven series Monday night at Tropicana Field.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Small ball vs. Guards Ball when the Rays and Guardians meet in the ALCS",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/small-ball-vs-guards-ball-when-the-rays-and-guardians-meet-in-the-alcs-13808259",
        "published": "2026-10-11T21:24:43.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}