2019 ScheduleAll times ET

2019 Schedule
96-66, 2nd in AL East
1h

BBTN: ALCS Game 4, Maddon, Top Prospects

The Yankees need Masahiro Tanaka to be a "silent assassin" in tonight's Game 4 against Houston, says ESPN Radio's Chris Singleton, who also discusses New York's inability to drive in runs, how poor weather conditions will impact tonight's game, Joe Maddon's fit with the Angels and more (6:39). Sarah Langs also plays "The Numbers Game" (21:34) and Keith Law talks about some of the game's top prospects and how they'll affect the futures of teams like the Rays, Twins, Rangers and Mariners (29:41).

6d

BBTN: Cole's Dominance, X-Factors, Kapler Firing

Another dominant Gerrit Cole playoffs performance has Buster and Karl Ravech comparing the Houston ace to another all-time great (14:32). The guys also discuss Tyler Glasnow's pitch-tipping, X-factors in each championship series, the firing of Gabe Kapler and more. Plus, Rena Banena's "Bleacher Tweets" and some jovial conversations about underage drinking and baseball sitcoms (31:33).

Glasnow feels he tipped pitches in Game 5 (0:28)
6d
AP Photo/Michael Wyke
6dBradford Doolittle

Rays' Glasnow: Tipped pitches 'pretty obvious'

While Rays starter Tyler Glasnow said it was "pretty obvious" he was tipping his pitches Thursday night, both Tampa Bay and Houston said that wasn't what did in the Rays in the ALDS.

Bob Levey/Getty Images
6dBradford Doolittle

'Locked in' ace Cole takes historic run into ALCS

Astros ace Gerrit Cole stifled the upstart Rays for the second time during the ALDS and continued his historic run with 10 strikeouts over eight dominant innings Thursday night.

7d

Cole, Astros beat Rays 6-1 in ALDS Game 5; Yankees next

Gerrit Cole pitched another playoff masterpiece and the Houston Astros jumped to a quick lead, turning back the Tampa Bay Rays 6-1 Thursday night in Game 5 to set up a titanic showdown with the New York Yankees in the AL Championship Series.

Bradford Doolittle ESPN Staff Writer 

In the end, the Astros had Gerrit Cole and the Rays didn't. Behind eight more dominant innings from Cole, Houston beat Tampa Bay 6-1 and won the LDS series 3 games to 2. Cole went eight innings, allowing two hits and one run while striking out 10. The Astros play the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the ALCS on Saturday night at Minute Maid Park.

Bob Levey/Getty Images
7d

Rays 2B Sogard slugs homer in return to lineup

Second baseman Eric Sogard returned to the starting lineup for the Tampa Bay Rays for Thursday night's Game 5 of the ALDS against the Astros. Sogard hit a solo homer, but it wasn't enough as the Astros advanced with a 6-1 win.

Bradford Doolittle ESPN Staff Writer 

Here are your lineups for Game 5. Different look for the Rays from their Game 2 meeting with the Astros' Gerrit Cole. Joey Wendle in for Yandy Díaz and Eric Sogard in for Brandon Lowe. For Houston against Tyler Glasnow, A.J. Hinch flipped Michael Brantley and Jose Altuve near the top of the order, while Martin Maldonado gets the call at catcher with Cole on the mound.

Marly Rivera ESPN Writer 

Yankee Stadium ready for the ALCS. Yankees await the result of Game 5 of Astros-Rays tonight to know whether they will host Game 1 on Saturday or travel to Minute Maid Park.

7d

BBTN: Roberts' Decisions, Kershaw's Legacy, ALDS Preview

After the Dodgers fall short in October once again, Buster and Keith Law talk about Dave Roberts' handling of the bullpen and how Clayton Kershaw's poor performance affects his career narrative (20:43). Plus, they discuss Stephen Strasburg's resilience and the Cardinals' thrashing of the Braves. Sarah Langs also plays "The Numbers Game" (38:47) and The Athletic's Jake Kaplan previews tonight's ALDS Game 5 between the Astros and Rays (45:22).

Marly Rivera ESPN Writer 

Aaron Boone on whether he sees Rays-Astros going to a Game 5 as an advantage in the ALCS: "I've gotten that question a lot lately and honestly I kind of abide by ‘careful what you wish for.' Sometimes you don't know what you're pulling for. And as much as you want a Game 5, maybe that ends up not working in your favor. I'm certainly enjoying watching it unfold. But I don't really draw an advantage/disadvantage type thing from it. I don't worry about that or consume myself with that at all."

8d

BBTN: ALDS, NLDS Game 5's, Hembo Knows

With three winner-take-all Game 5's now set, Buster and Jon Sciambi break down Tampa's win last night, the Walker Buehler/Stephen Strasburg pitching matchup, Freddie Freeman's struggles and more (11:32). Plus, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post Dispatch discusses the compelling Braves/Cardinals series, the making of Jack Flaherty and the X-factors for tonight's game (28:38). And, "Hembo Knows" (36:02).

Pham thanks himself for the hard work he put in without a dad (0:29)
8d
Pham explains importance of jumping out to early lead (1:24)
9d
9d

Rays chase Verlander early, beat Astros 4-1 to even ALDS

Willy Adames homered and made a sensational relay throw from shortstop, Tommy Pham also went deep and the Tampa Bay Rays chased Justin Verlander early in beating the Houston Astros 4-1 Tuesday night to even their AL Division Series at two games apiece.

Bradford Doolittle ESPN Staff Writer 

Back to Houston we go. The Rays outswarmed Justin Verlander and the Astros 4-1 in Game 4, knotting the LDS series at 2-apiece. Tampa Bay needed six pitchers, beginning with opener Diego Castillo and ending with with reigning Cy Young winner Blake Snell getting the last two outs for the save in his first career relief appearance. Game 5 is Thursday.

Bradford Doolittle ESPN Staff Writer 

With the tying run coming to the plate in the ninth, Rays manager Kevin Cash calls on reigning AL Cy Young winner Blake Snell to make his first career relief appearance.

Team Stats

  • Batting
  • Pitching
Runs769Tied-15th
Batting Average.25412th
On Base Percentage.32513th
Slugging Percentage.43115th
Earned Run Average3.652nd
Quality Starts53Tied-17th
WHIP1.175th
BAA.2303rd