Brief

Guardians to start Shawn Armstrong as Rays send Nick Martinez in ALCS Game 4

Armstrong and Martinez will pitch Friday night as the Guardians hold a 2‑1 series lead.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sat, 17 Oct 2026 00:10:23 GMT

Cleveland will open Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Friday night with right‑hander Shawn Armstrong, while Tampa Bay will counter with Nick Martinez, according to the Associated Press.

What happened

The Guardians lead the best‑of‑seven series 2‑1 after Petey Halpin’s two‑run homer gave Cleveland a 3‑2 win in Game 3 on Thursday. Rain is forecast for most of Friday, but a window between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET could allow the game to proceed. The start time was moved back two hours to 8 p.m. ET after the Milwaukee Brewers swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Championship Series.

What the reports add

The AP notes that an ALCS game has not been postponed since 2019, when the New York Yankees hosted the Houston Astros. It also highlights that this will be Armstrong’s fifth postseason appearance, all in a bullpen‑game role for Cleveland.

What was said

“I think I said it to (Erik) Sabrowski, whenever we were standing in the outfield in Game 2 in Tampa — obviously I played here, I got drafted here, coming back here and being able to be in this situation is — words can’t describe it,” Armstrong said before Thursday’s game.

“It’s just like my starts throughout the year; it’s going to be a dogfight going in, just to see how many outs I can get for this team, it’s important,” Martinez said on Thursday.

How it came about

Armstrong, drafted by Cleveland in the 18th round of the 2011 draft, missed most of July with a calf strain before returning late in the regular season. Martinez posted a 15‑6 record with a 3.10 ERA during the regular season and previously started Game 3 of the AL Division Series against the New York Yankees.

Key facts

Shawn Armstrong will start for Cleveland in ALCS Game 4. (winnipegfreepress.com)
Nick Martinez will start for Tampa Bay in the same game. (winnipegfreepress.com)
The Guardians hold a 2‑1 series lead after a 3‑2 win in Game 3. (winnipegfreepress.com)
Game 4 start time moved to 8 p.m. ET due to rain concerns. (winnipegfreepress.com)
Armstrong is making his fifth postseason appearance. (winnipegfreepress.com)