One change for Tampa Bay
The Tampa Bay Rays made a single move to their roster for the American League Championship Series against Cleveland. Left-hander Garrett Cleavinger is out, and rookie right-hander Brody Hopkins is in. Tampa Bay hosts Game 1 on Monday.
The Rays keep the same 12-pitcher staff they used in the Division Series. Hopkins simply takes the spot Cleavinger held.
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Who is out and who is in
Cleavinger, 32, went 4-4 with a 4.79 ERA in 51 relief appearances this season. He never pitched in the ALDS, when the Rays swept the New York Yankees in three games, so the club is not losing a player who was part of its October rotation of arms.
Hopkins is 24 and made his big league debut on September 13. He posted a 5.06 ERA over six games down the stretch. It is a small sample, and the Rays are betting on a fresh arm over a veteran who sat idle in the last round.
Rested Rays, battle-tested Guardians
The roster note lands against an unusual backdrop. Tampa Bay finished off New York in three games, while Cleveland needed all five against the White Sox and completed a comeback by blanking Chicago in Game 5 on Saturday. The Rays are the rested side, Cleveland the one that has already been pushed to the limit.
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