Foster Griffin to start Game 1 of ALCS vs. Rays

With left-hander Parker Messick on the mound for the Guardians in Game 5, the Rays will change things up with Vilade starting in right field and batting third while Williamson takes over at second base and will bat eighth. Here’s the full lineup that Rays’ skipper Kevin Cash will deploy as the Rays look to take control of the ALCS on Sunday: Yandy Díaz (DH), Jonathan Aranda (1B), Ryan Vilade (RF), Junior Caminero (3B), Chandler Simpson (LF), Jonny DeLuca (CF), Liam Hicks (C), Ben Williamson (2B) and Taylor Walls (SS).

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).

The 29-year-old backstop hit .185/.185/.370 with one RBI in 28 plate appearances with the Dodgers in 2026. He’ll latch on somewhere as quality catching depth, presumably at the Triple-A level, in 2027.

The 27-year-old slugger slashed a meager .192/.315/.350 with four home runs, 11 RBI and a 50/17 K/BB ratio across 144 plate appearances in 56 games with the Mets during the 2026 season. He has still flashed enough power potential that there will always be teams willing to take a chance on him as a reclamation project.

Freeman had a disappointing season for the Rockies in 2026, slashing .247/.317/.314 with three homers, 23 RBI and six stolen bases in his 288 plate appearances. He has proven to be a quality utility option in the past though and could intrigue some teams as a potential bench option.

The 27-year-old infielder sent almost the entire season at Triple-A Norfolk where he slashed .226/.271/.371 with six homers, 19 RBI and eight stolen bases across 202 plate appearances. He’ll look to latch on elsewhere on what will assuredly be another minor league pact.

The versatile 30-year-old hit .192 (5-for-26) with one RBI in his limited action with the Mariners during the 2026 campaign. He’s now free to peddle his wares on the open market.

The 28-year-old former top prospect saw just 13 plate appearances in nine games with the Mets during the 2026 campaign. He spent most of the season at Triple-A Syracuse where he slashed .278/.385/.421 with five homers, 34 RBI and 16 stolen bases in 258 plate appearances. His speed and defensive versatility could make him an intriguing utility option.

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.