Rays announce Griffin Jax as ALCS Game 3 starter

The rule for replacing injured players in the postseason is that it has to be a new injury, so the Brewers might be stuck with Woodruff on the roster and unable to pitch if something goes wrong. Woodruff hasn’t pitched since June because of a shoulder injury that was originally thought would require season-ending surgery. If he’s added to the World Series roster, it could be at the expense of Kyle Harrison, who has yet to pitch in the postseason.

The 19-year-old had an inconsistent first full professional season, hitting .242/.427/.403 in 36 games with four home runs and 12 steals. However, he also had a 35/40 K/BB ratio and showed elite plate discipline. Kilby is hitting .290 with a .964 OPS in Arizona Fall League action and now has four steals. He should begin next season in Single-A, and it remains to be seen what his long-term positional fit is with George Lombard Jr. now up with the Yankees at shortstop.

Rodríguez allowed one hit but struck out two in his inning of work. Perhaps more importantly, he sat 96.5 mph, which was up from 95 mph in his first outing, and he touched 98 mph on the radar gun. The 27-year-old has yet to allow a run in his AFL action and could be the favorite for saves in San Francisco heading into the 2027 season.

Peete was everywhere in this one. The 21-year-old now has six steals, three doubles, and two triples in AFL action, while hitting .361 with a 1.091 OPS. Peete, who came over in an offseason trade for Brendan Donovan, missed over two months this season with an illness, but finished the year strong at Double-A. He figures to start there again in 2027, but a hot start, paired with his strong AFL results, could lead to a Triple-A promotion in short order.

Murray reported that many teams expressed interest in acquiring Kwan at this year’s trade deadline, but the Guardians saw a chance to make a playoff run and opted to hold onto their outfielder. Now, with Kwan entering the final year of his deal and the Guardians unlikely to sign him to an extension, the market for him is likely to heat up again. Kwan had a down year in 2026, hitting .282/.382/.349 with three home runs and 32 RBI; however, he was sixth in baseball in WAR from June 30 to the end of the regular season, and some teams may see that as a sign that he is due for a bounce-back in 2027.

The Rays advance to their third-ever trip to the World Series with the win. Caminero took Cade Smith deep off the pole with a runner on, and it gave the 23-year-old slugger his first homer of the postseason after he walloped 42 of them in the regular campaign. He seemed to enjoy it, as it took him nearly 40 seconds to round the bases. Let the kids play. The 23-year-old also singled and walked to improve his playoff OPS to .814 over his nine postseason games. Caminero and the Rays will begin the Fall Classic against the Brewers on Friday, and both organizations will have a chance to win their first-ever championship.

For the second time in three games, Díaz hit a late two-run shot to extend the Rays’ lead to four runs. The 35-year-old has been outstanding in the postseason with a .308 average and .903 OPS, and he’ll hit at the top of the lineup for the World Series against the Brewers beginning Friday.

Smith walked the first hitter he faced and then gave up a line-drive homer to Junior Caminero that extended the Rays’ lead to 5-1. It’s a disappointing end to what was a spectacular season for Smith who had dominated in the playoffs prior to his outing on Monday, and he saved 41 games with a 1.95 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 74 innings. He’ll open 2027 as one of the best fantasy closers in baseball.

It’s a non-save situation because Yandy Díaz hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth to give Tampa Bay a four-run lead. The 31-year-old initiated a pair of groundouts to the top of the Cleveland lineup before getting Chase DeLauter to pop out to end the game. Baker will assuredly get the save chances — and plenty of other high-leverage looks — in the World Series beginning Friday.

Peralta will be facing his former team in the Fall Classic, and is a big reason why Tampa Bay was able to advance. He didn’t allow a run until the sixth, and he scattered five hits while striking out three in the series-clinching victory. In his two starts against the Guardians in the ALCS, Peralta allowed just one run over 11 1/3 innings. Game 1 of the World Series is Friday, and it seems likely the 30-year-old will start one of those first two games for the Rays in Milwaukee.