Rays, Guardians Announce ALCS Rosters

The Rays and Guardians on Monday announced their rosters for the forthcoming American League Championship Series, which begins tonight when the 98-win Rays host the 85-win Guardians at St. Petersburg’s Tropicana Field.

Tampa Bay will hand the ball to Cy Young candidate Drew Rasmussen, who pitched 172 innings of 2.67 ERA ball during the regular season before dominating the Yankees in the American League Division Series with an eight-inning, 10-strikeout masterpiece that saw him allow only three baserunners.

Cleveland, in turn, is giving the nod to deadline acquisition Foster Griffin — the former first-round pick and top prospect who reinvented himself during a three-year stint with Japan’s Yomiuri Giants before returning to MLB last offseason. Splitting the season between the Nationals and Guardians, Griffin logged 172 2/3 frames of 3.60 ERA ball. His work was sharper in Washington (3.06 ERA) than in Cleveland (5.19), although much of the damage against him as a member of the Guards came in one nightmare start that saw him surrender eight runs to the Orioles. Griffin was sensational in his lone ALDS appearance, tossing 2 2/3 innings and allowing one run while setting down seven of his 11 opponents via strikeout.

The most notable change for the Rays comes in the bullpen, where they’re swapping out lefty Garrett Cleavinger for young right-hander Brody Hopkins. Cleavinger, 32, is one of the Rays’ most talented bullpen arms but ran into injury troubles late in the season. He carried a 3.09 ERA into mid-August but was tagged for 10 runs over his final 6 1/3 innings before landing on the injured list due to forearm discomfort. He was cleared to be a part of Tampa Bay’s ALDS roster but didn’t get into a game. The 24-year-old Hopkins has garnered plenty of top-100 love this year but struggled considerably with his command — both in Triple-A and in a brief 5 1/3-inning MLB debut. He’ll bring a 100mph heater to the mix, but Hopkins also walked a staggering 21% of his opponents in Triple-A this year. He’s had sub-par walk rates in the past, but nothing even close to that level.

Similarly, the Guardians made only one change. Cleveland swapped out utilityman Daniel Schneemann for right-hander Slade Cecconi. The 29-year-old Schneeman hit .210/.276/.332 in 286 plate appearances this season (72 wRC+). He was on the ALDS roster but didn’t get into a game. Schneemann would’ve provided manager Stephen Vogt with some speed and defensive versatility, but the Guards will instead bring Cecconi aboard as an extra pitcher now that they’re looking at a best-of-seven series as opposed to a best-of-five. Cecconi spent the bulk of the season in Cleveland’s rotation, logging a 4.78 ERA in 21 starts before moving to the ‘pen following the acquisition of Griffin. He’s unlikely to draw any starts this round but will give Vogt some length in the bullpen.

Here’s how the roster breaks down for each team…

Tampa Bay Rays

Pitchers (* = left-handed): Bryan Baker, Cam Booser*, Brody Hopkins, Griffin Jax, Kevin Kelly, Nick Martinez, Steven Matz*, Freddy Peralta, Drew Rasmussen, Ian Seymour*, Cole Sulser, Tyler Wells

Catchers: Nick Fortes, Liam Hicks

Infielders: Jonathan Aranda, Junior Caminero, Yandy Díaz, Jorge Mateo, Richie Palacios, Taylor Walls, Ben Williamson

Outfielders: Jonny DeLuca, Víctor Mesa Jr., Cedric Mullins, Chandler Simpson, Ryan Vilade

Cleveland Guardians

Pitchers: Shawn Armstrong, Tanner Bibee, Joey Cantillo*, Slade Cecconi, Daniel Espino, Matt Festa, Hunter Gaddis, Foster Griffin*, Tim Herrin*, Parker Messick*, Erik Sabrowski*, Cade Smith, Gavin Williams

Catchers: Patrick Bailey, Austin Hedges

Infielders: Travis Bazzana, David Fry, Ángel Genao, Nathaniel Lowe, José Ramírez, Brayan Rocchio

Outfielders: Jo Adell, Chase DeLauter, Petey Halpin, Steven Kwan, Angel Martínez