Guardians Reveal ALCS Game 6 Starter Facing Elimination vs Rays

The Cleveland Guardians are one loss away from being eliminated in the American League Championship Series against the Tampa Bay Rays.

After taking a 2-1 series lead over the Rays, Cleveland proceeded to lose the next two games at home, pushing the team to the brink of elimination. Now, the scene will shift back to Tampa Bay for the final two games, with the Guardians needing to win both to advance to the World Series.

Cleveland has been in this same spot before in this postseason, going down 0-2 heading into Games 3 and 4 in the ALDS against the Chicago White Sox. But the Guardians know that this will be a little different than how the first playoff series went, with Tampa Bay being a much tougher opponent.

Heading into Game 6, it's all hands on deck for the Guardians in a win-or-go-home situation. Cleveland has elected to start right-hander Shawn Armstrong to open the game against the Rays, and he will try to keep the series alive.

In the regular season, Armstrong was a key piece of the Guardians bullpen attack, with the veteran posting a 4.58 ERA over 41 appearances. The right-hander struck out 34 batters over 35.1 innings during the year.

Armstrong has done very well against Tampa Bay in this series, with the right-hander throwing four scoreless innings over three ALCS appearances. This includes him opening Game 4, with him tossing a scoreless inning.

Cleveland has trusted Armstrong during these playoffs, with the right-hander coming through for the team in big spots. Overall, the veteran arm has recorded a 0.00 ERA over six appearances this postseason.

After Armstrong, the Guardians will likely use a mix of pitchers to get through the game, hoping to keep the season alive. Guys such as Tanner Bibee, Slade Cecconi, and Joey Cantillo could all be options after they didn't pitch in Game 5.

The only player that may not be available is right-hander Gavin Williams, who manager Stephen Vogt said wouldn't be playing on short rest. If the Guardians were to force a Game 7, Williams would be the likely starter for Cleveland.

The Guardians understand what's at stake in this Game 6 against the Rays, and this team will be coming out with a sense of desperation. The dream of winning the World Series is on the line, and Cleveland will do everything in its power to force a Game 7.