Jake Bauers (shin) out second consecutive game

The 35-year-old backstop had a down season at the dish in 2026 and it’s possible that the wear and tear behind the plate played a role in his struggles. Dombrowski mentioned that Realmuto could slot in more at first base to remain in the lineup even when he’s not catching, but if he’s slashing anything near the putrid .205/.283/.331 that he did across 467 plate appearances in 2026, that sounds like a losing proposition. Fantasy managers should anticipate a drop in his overall playing time heading into 2027.

Diaz essentially put the game away with his two-run homer in the ninth to give the Rays a 7-3 lead. The homer is not only his first of the postseason, but it also gives him his first runs driven in since the regular season ended. The 35-year-old will have a chance to add to those totals in a critical Game 5 come Sunday.

Aranda tied the game at 1-1 with a bloop single into center in the third inning. The 28-year-old had a two-run single in the seventh to extend that lead to 4-1, but he was credited with just one more RBI because of an error by Chase DeLauter. He’s now hitting a respectable .269/.345/.385 in the postseason, and he has the Rays two wins from their second trip to the World Series in Rays’ history.

Bazzana lined a homer into right to get the Guardians back into it at 5-2. The former first-overall pick also singled and walked in easily his best postseason game of his brief career. Bazzana will likely be in the lineup Sunday in a massive Game 5 against Tampa Bay on Sunday in Cleveland.

Baker doesn’t get a save because a Yandy Diaz two-run homer in the ninth gave the Rays four-run lead. Something tells us that he didn’t mind. He did allow a hit to open his inning, but it was erased by a double play and he picked up a strikeout to end the festivities. Baker threw only 12 pitches, so there’s no reason to think he won’t be available in Game 5.

Griffin came in after Shawn Armstrong fired a scoreless inning as the opener. The southpaw gave up a run on a looping single from Jonathan Aranda in the third, but outside of that was excellent while striking out five against one walk. Griffin threw “only” 44 pitches, so there’s a very good chance he’ll start either Game 6 or 7 in Tampa Bay; or possibly working a similar role in one of those contests.

Martinez gave up his only run in the first inning when he allowed an RBI single in the first to Chase DeLauter. He did not all another hit, and while he struck out only three, he was in control from the second inning on in an exceptional outing for the 36-year-old veteran. Martinez threw 79 pitches in the contest, so while he certainly won’t be available in Game 5, he could be an option in Tampa Bay out of the bullpen for Games 6 and 7.

The matchup is the same as in last night’s rained out game, so there’s no need to changeup the lineup of
Steven Kwan (LF), Jose Ramírez (3B), Chase DeLauter (RF), Jo Adell (DH), Nathaniel Lowe (1B), Travis Bazzana (2B), Patrick Bailey (C), Petey Halpin (CF) and Brayan Rocchio (SS).

Raquet, who was released by the Orioles last month, recently underwent Tommy John surgery and probably won’t pitch at all next season. The 30-year-old has a 4.76 ERA in six MLB relief appearances with the Cardinals and Orioles the last two seasons. He has a 5.00 ERA and a 130/50 K/BB in 129 2/3 career innings in Triple-A.

Fedko made his major league debut with the Twins in June, going 0-for-16 in 14 games before returning to Triple-A. He then suffered a torn ACL in August and was released in September, at which point the Pirates signed him. He’s aiming to resume playing in May. The 27-year-old was quite successful for the Twins’ Triple-A club the last two years, hitting .272/.358/.519 with 25 homers and 22 steals in 117 games.