Rays' Offense Goes Cold in ALCS Game 3 Loss to Guardians as Pressure Mounts

The Tampa Bay Rays couldn't capitalize in the American League Championship Game as they fell in the first road game in Cleveland, 3-2, at Progressive Field. 

The team now trails 2-1 in a pivotal 7-game series, with the winner heading to the World Series. 

Here is what you need to know about the contest. 

For most of the game, Tampa Bay struggled at the plate against the Guardians. The team only picked up three hits in the contest, with two of them coming from starter Gavin Williams. 

Both of the runs for the Rays came in the fourth inning, when Chandler Simpson hit an impressive two-RBI triple. The exit velocity on that triple was an astonishing 102.1 mph, the hardest-hit ball of the season for Chandler that resulted in a hit and/or RBI. However, it wasn't enough to secure the lead and the early series lead heading into the back half of the ALCS. 

Tampa Bay struck out 13 times, including four by their star slugger Junior Caminero. The top of the order combined for seven strikeouts. The Rays went 1 for 6 with runners in scoring position. 

It was a bold move by Kevin Cash to put Griffin Jax as the Game 3 starter, leaving Nick Martinez for Game 4. 

Unfortunately, that plan didn't work out. 

Jax went 4 innings and allowed all 3 runs, including one home run to Petey Halpin in the bottom of the fifth inning. The damage was minimized, and Tyler Wells and Steven Matz took care of the rest of the game, keeping the Guardians scoreless, but the run support didn't come from the Tampa Bay offense. 

Nick Martinez will get the ball for Game 4 of the ALCS on Friday at Progressive Field against the Guardians. And they cannot afford to fall behind 3-1. 

With Game 5 also being in Cleveland, with no rest, Kevin Cash is going to have to work his bullpen strategy very effectively to ensure not only that they can even the series, but that they find a way to control it by the time they take it back home to Tropicana Field. 

With the loss on Thursday, there is no guarantee that Tampa Bay will play another game at home and could technically be eliminated by the time the weekend is over. Nick Martinez, Drew Asmussen, the bullpen, and the rest of the Tampa Bay offense must ensure that does not happen, and they have to find a way to support their normally elite pitching staff against this tough Guardians team.

First pitch for Saturday is scheduled for 8 pm Eastern.