Guardians open ALCS Game 4 with Shawn Armstrong against Rays

Shawn Armstrong will open Game 4 of the American League Championship Series for the Guardians on Friday, according to NBC Sports and the Associated Press. Tampa Bay will start right-hander Nick Martinez.

Yahoo Sports described Armstrong as primarily a relief pitcher whom Cleveland is leaning on in an important game. MLB.com reported that his main job is to handle right-handed hitters Yandy Díaz and Junior Caminero, who have batted leadoff and third for the Rays this series.

Who follows Armstrong

MLB.com listed lefty Joey Cantillo and right-handers Tanner Bibee and Slade Cecconi as options to pitch bulk innings behind him. The source does not say which of them will get the call.

Martinez posted a 3.10 ERA over 31 starts this season, according to Yahoo Sports.

Weather and first pitch

First pitch is set for 8 p.m. ET at Progressive Field, with the game on TBS and HBO Max, MLB.com reported. Yahoo Sports said that as of 11 a.m. on Oct. 16, MLB was still planning to play as scheduled. It also said rainy weather in Cleveland could put the game in jeopardy.

What the sources don't say

The reporting available for this story does not cover how Game 3 was decided or give the current series score, so it can't say what a series lead would mean for Cleveland. Check back for results once the game is played.

Elsewhere, the Milwaukee Brewers swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series on Thursday night, according to the AP.