MLB.com Experts Pick Rays in 27 of 30 ALCS Votes Over Guardians
Updated
Updated · MLB.com · Oct 12
MLB.com Experts Pick Rays in 27 of 30 ALCS Votes Over Guardians
3 articles · Updated · MLB.com · Oct 12
Summary
Thirty MLB.com experts picked Tampa Bay to win the 2026 ALCS, with 27 backing the No. 1 seed Rays over the No. 2 seed Guardians before Monday’s opener at Tropicana Field.
A 15-vote plurality saw the Rays winning in five games and 10 more picked six, reflecting confidence in a roster built around Drew Rasmussen, Freddy Peralta, Nick Martinez and a lineup led by Yandy Díaz and Junior Caminero.
Tampa Bay enters after sweeping the Yankees in the ALDS, while Cleveland needed five games to erase an 0-2 deficit against the White Sox, a contrast several voters cited in favor of the better-rested Rays.
Junior Caminero led ALCS MVP voting with 13 expert picks after a 42-homer regular season, while Rasmussen drew seven votes following his 7 2/3-inning no-hit bid in the Division Series.
The series carries long-title stakes for both clubs: the Rays are chasing their first World Series title and first pennant since 2020, while Cleveland seeks its first World Series trip since 2016 and first championship since 1948.