Updated October 16, 2026, 9:39 p.m. ET
CLEVELAND — The Guardians were set to play a rainy Game 4 of the American League Championship Series with a chance to take a commanding lead while the Tampa Bay Rays look to even things up at Progressive Field, but just after 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16, Major League Baseball postponed Game 4 of the ALCS due to rain.
The Guardians took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series with a Game 3 victory thanks to Petey Halpin’s home run and another postseason save from closer Cade Smith. This set the stage for a crucial Game 4, which is now scheduled to begin at 8:08 p.m. on Saturday, October 17 at Progressive Field. Game 5 is scheduled for 5:08 p.m. on Sunday, October 18.
Game 4 of the ALCS had a scheduled first pitch time of 8:08 p.m. on Friday, October 16, but the game was postponed.
Below is some additional information about the ALCS.
Game 4 of the ALCS will feature Shawn Armstrong vs. Nick Martinez, even after the rain.
With Game 4 moved to Saturday, October 17, the Guardians and Rays are both sticking to their scheduled kickoff plans, according to both managers.
The Guardians will still debut Shawn Armstrong as opener, with unclear plans afterward. The Rays will start Nick Martinez.
Guardians-Rays ALCS Game 4 postponed due to rain
Game 4 between the Guardians and Rays will not be played Friday evening, October 16.
Game 4 is now scheduled for 8:08 p.m. on Saturday, October 17.
Game 5 is now scheduled for 5:08 p.m. on Sunday, October 18.
MLB made the announcements shortly after 9 p.m. on October 16.
When will the Guardians game start?
As of 9 p.m., no time for the first pitch had been announced. It was also still raining a little at Progressive Field.
The grounds crew removes the tarp from the Progressive Field infield, then puts it back in place
At 7:46 p.m., the grounds crew removed a huge tarp from the infield. Fans waiting for Game 4 to begin cheered.
The removal of the tarp created a huge puddle in the outfield, extending from shallow center field to shallow right field. Then the grounds crew left the tarp in the outfield and used leaf blowers, brooms and squeegees to remove the water from the tarp.
Meanwhile, other members of the ground crew worked to clear water from the warning runway.
At 7:57 p.m., the grounds crew put the tarp back on the infield.
Guardians-Rays ALCS Game 4 will start with a delay
At 7:19 p.m., MLB announced that Game 4 of the ALCS would not start on time. No further updates were provided.
Are the Guardians and Rays rain delayed before Game 4 of the ALCS?
Somehow, as of 6:50 p.m., Major League Baseball has made no announcement about tonight’s game. This really leaves the fans in a tough spot as heavy rain falls on Progressive Field. No one is on the ground, which is completely waterlogged.
It seems very unlikely that they will play at 8 p.m., as the warning track is now essentially a lake. Even if they try to play, it will take them a long time to prepare the field with the amount of rain that has already fallen. They could wait until 10 p.m. or even later to try to start the game, but to have not announced something is pretty incredible on MLB’s part.
The likely scenario here is that either the game is delayed by a few hours (at least) or it is moved to Sunday. At this point, if MLB intends to wait, it appears they are preparing to try to play, even if the first pitch doesn’t happen until 11 p.m. or even later. Nothing has been announced.
Guardians, Rays meet with MLB over Game 4 weather
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt and Rays manager Kevin Cash said they had a phone call scheduled with MLB to find out if bad weather in Cleveland would affect the Game 4 schedule. Vogt and Cash said the call was set for 6 p.m. on Oct. 16.
What did Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash say about the phone call with MLB about the weather conditions for Game 4 of the ALCS in Cleveland?
Here’s what Rays manager Kevin Cash said about the 6 p.m. phone call with MLB: “The forecasters are looking into it trying to decide what’s best for the Guardians and the Rays and certainly for the Cleveland fans and everything. So, (I don’t know) more than that, other than I’m looking forward to the call at 6 p.m..”
Guardians-Rays ALCS schedule, scores
- Here is the 2026 ALCS schedule:
- Game 1: Guardians 7, Rays 3, Monday October 12 | Summary | History
- Game 2: Rays 3, Guardians 1, Tuesday October 13 | Summary | History
- Game 3: Guardians 3, Rays 2, Thursday October 15, 1 p.m. | Summary | Reactions | History | Column
- Game 4: Rays at Guardians, Friday October 16, 8:08 p.m.
- Game 5: Rays at Guardians, Saturday October 17, 8 p.m.
- Game 6 (if necessary): Gardiens aux Rayons, Monday October 19 at 8 p.m.
- Game 7 (if necessary): Guardians at Rays, Tuesday October 20, 8 p.m.
Shawn Armstrong vs. Rays
Right-handed relief pitcher Shawn Armstrong is expected to serve as an opener for the Guardians in Game 4. He was terrific in the postseason, striking out five and allowing just one hit in 5 ⅓ innings.
Nick Martinez vs. the Guardians
Right-handed pitcher Nick Martinez is expected to start Game 4 for the Rays. Martinez went 15-6 with a 3.10 ERA during the 2026 regular season. In 13 innings against the Guardians this season, Martinez allowed seven hits and no runs in two starts.
Goalie Lineups vs. Rays in Game 4 of the ALCS
- Steven Kwan, L.F.
- Jose Ramirez, 3B
- Chase DeLauter, RF
- Jo Adell, DH
- Nathaniel Lowe, 1B
- Travis Bazzana, 2B
- Patrick Bailey
- Petey Halpin, CF
- Brayan Rocchio, SS
Rays vs. Guardians lineup in Game 4 of the ALCS
- Yandy Diaz, DH
- Jonathan Aranda, 1B
- Chandler Simpson
- Caminero Junior, 3B
- Liam Hicks, C.
- Victor Mesa Jr.
- Jonny DeLuca, CF
- Richie Palacios, 2B
- Taylor Walls, SS
Cleveland Guardians ALCS Roster
- Here is the ALCS list of Guardians:
- Seekers (2): Patrick Bailey and Austin Hedges
- Infielders (5): Travis Bazzana, Angel Genao, Nathaniel Lowe, José Ramírez and Brayan Rocchio
- Voltigeurs (6): Jo Adell, Chase DeLauter, David Fry, Petey Halpin, Steven Kwan and Angel Martinez
- Pitchers (13): Shawn Armstrong, Tanner Bibee, Joey Cantillo, Daniel Espino, Matt Festa, Hunter Gaddis, Foster Griffin, Tim Herrin, Parker Messick, Erik Sabrowski, Cade Smith, Gavin Williams and Slade Cecconi
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Guardians ALCS Predictions
Here are our predictions for Game 4. Here are our predictions for the ALCS.
When do the Cleveland Guardians play today?
First pitch for Game 4 is officially scheduled for 8:08 p.m.
Where to watch Guardians vs Rays in Game 4 of the ALCS tonight
ALCS Game 4 between the Guardians and Rays can be watched on TBS, HBO Max, TruTV and Univision.
How to listen to the Guardians match tonight on the radio
Game 4 of the ALCS can be heard on the radio via WMMS (100.7-FM), WTAM (1100-AM) and WARF (1350-AM, Spanish broadcast).
Ryan Lewis covers Guardians for the Beacon Journal. He can be contacted at rlewis1@gannett.com.
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