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Rain Delays Start of Guardians-Rays ALCS Game 4 in Cleveland

The Cleveland Guardians lead the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 in the American League Championship Series, but the start of Game 4 was delayed Friday night as rain moved over Progressive Field, with no new start time announced.

By admin Oct. 16, 2026 · 8:41 PM ET 2 min read

A baseball stadium at night with a white tarp covering the infield during a rain delay

The start of Game 4 of the American League Championship Series was delayed Friday night as rain moved over Progressive Field in Cleveland, where the Guardians hold a 2-1 series lead over the Tampa Bay Rays.

A baseball stadium at night with a white tarp covering the infield during a rain delay

First pitch was set for 8 p.m. ET, but about 40 minutes before the scheduled start, the stadium displayed a sign announcing the delay, according to USA Today. MLB said the game would “begin in a delay,” adding that it would provide updates on field preparation. No new start time had been announced as of 8:10 p.m. ET.

Grounds crew members in rain gear roll a white tarp across a wet baseball field under a gray sky

Forecast keeps Guardians waiting

As of 7 p.m. ET, light rain was still falling in Cleveland, with wind gusts of 33 miles per hour and a 70 percent chance of precipitation around the scheduled first pitch, according to AccuWeather. The game had originally been set for 6 p.m. ET before MLB moved it to 8 p.m. after Thursday’s four-game Brewers sweep of the Dodgers ended the NLCS.

Empty blue stadium seats under dark storm clouds as rain falls through bright stadium floodlights

A bullpen game on hold

The Guardians planned a bullpen game for Game 4, with veteran reliever Shawn Armstrong set to open and left-hander Joey Cantillo expected to handle the bulk of the innings. The Rays were scheduled to start right-hander Nick Martinez, who went 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA against Cleveland in two regular-season outings this year. A win would put Cleveland one victory from its first World Series appearance since 2016.

Close-up of raindrops splashing on a wet baseball infield, with stadium lights blurred in the background

Weather has now affected the series for two straight days. Game 3 was moved from 6 p.m. to 1 p.m. ET on Thursday for the same reason, and the Guardians won 3-2 on rookie Petey Halpin’s go-ahead two-run homer. Game 5 is set for Saturday at 8 p.m. ET in Cleveland, with Games 6 and 7 scheduled for Monday and Tuesday in St. Petersburg, Florida, if needed. Games air on TBS and truTV.

Reporting based on coverage by USA Today.

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