Brayan Rocchio sits against Athletics on Sunday

If you’re keeping track at home, it’s also the same lineup that they deployed in victories in Game 1 and 3 of the series. Battling Rays’ right-hander Drew Rasmussen is always a very difficult assignment, but they managed to earn a victory against him in Game 1, so they know that it can be done. Here’s the full lineup that manager Stephen Vogt has turned in for the Guardians’ most critical game of the season on Sunday: Steven Kwan (LF), José Ramírez (3B), Chase DeLauter (RF), Jo Adell (DH), Nathaniel Lowe (1B), Travis Bazzana (2B), Patrick Bailey (C), Petey Halpin (CF) and Brayan Rocchio (SS).

Even though the Guardians only scored three runs in the contest, the Guardians feel like that’s the best possible lineup that they are able to put on the field against an opposing right-hander, so there’s no need to change anything up. Game 3 hero Petey Halpin will start in center field and bat eighth. Here’s the full lineup that they’ll deploy against Rays’ right-hander Nick Martinez as they look to take a commanding 3-1 advantage in the series: 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).

Ramírez served as Cleveland’s primary offensive catalyst, sparking a memorable comeback to take down the division-rival White Sox in a decisive Game 5 to reach the ALCS for the first time since 2016. The 34-year-old franchise cornerstone hit .417 (5-for-12) with two homers and seven RBI during the final three games of the series. They’ll face a tough challenge against Rays ace Drew Rasmussen at Tropicana Field to kick off the best-of-seven series. Here’s the full lineup: Steven Kwan (LF), Ramírez (3B), Chase DeLauter (RF), Jo Adell (DH), Nathaniel Lowe (1B), Travis Bazzana (2B), Patrick Bailey (C), Petey Halpin (CF) and Brayan Rocchio (SS).

The Guardians were able to stave off elimination with a victory in Game 3 on Wednesday and they’ll run back an almost identical lineup as they try to do the same in Game 4. The only change will be Hedges catching instead of Patrick Bailey. Here’s the full lineup for the Guardians in a must-win spot against Hagen Smith and company on Thursday evening in Chicago: Steven Kwan (CF), Jose Ramirez (3B), Chase DeLauter (RF), Jo Adell (DH), Nathaniel Lowe (1B), Angel Martinez (LF), Travis Bazzana (2B), Hedges (C) and Brayan Rocchio (SS).

With the American League Central wrapped up, Guardians’ skipper Stephen Vogt is using Sunday as an opportunity to give several of his regulars a day off including Ramírez, Steven Kwan, Chase DeLauter, Patrick Bailey and Brayan Rocchio.

With the White Sox losing, the Guardians have clinched the AL Central and a bye through to the ALDS. Rocchio homered from both sides of the plate. His first just made it out down the left field line, while the second, to right, had a little more room to spare. Neither were barrels, though. It’s Rocchio’s second two-homer game of the month, as well as his second in 434 career games dating back to 2023. He has more homers (15) and steals (20) this year than in his previous 281 games over his first two-plus seasons (13 homers, 18 steals).

Rocchio is back at shortstop and hitting ninth after sitting out Sunday’s series finale against the Athletics with left leg tightness. It doesn’t appear to be a significant concern as Cleveland enters the final week needing to finish one game ahead of the White Sox, who hold the head-to-head tiebreaker, to win the AL Central.

Genao has now sat versus each of the last two left-handed starters. The 22-year-old is slashing .236/.300/.327 in 120 plate appearances for the Guardians with just six RBI, two home runs, and one steal. He does not need to be held in redraft fantasy leagues. Travis Bazzana will start at second base, with Angel Martinez in left field and Chase DeLauter at DH.

The 33-year-old superstar has really struggled since returning from a broken hamate bone, slashing a woeful .214/.289/.270 with just one homer, 15 RBI and seven stolen bases in 180 plate appearances across 42 games. Angel Genao will cover third base in his absence and will bat seventh for the Guardians against Twins’ right-hander Joe Ryan.

With the Guardians needing a big hit, Rocchio stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and this game tied in the ninth inning. A lot of the pressure melted away after Yoendrys Gómez threw a wild pitch that let Travis Bazzana scamper home with the go-ahead run. Just a moment later, Rocchio scorched a double in the gap to bring home two more and give Cleveland all the insurance they’d need to finish this game off. Despite a few other big hits over the last few weeks, Rocchio has ceded some starts at shortstop to Angel Genao over the last few weeks as his production has tailed off during the second half.