MLB

Parker Messick faces Freddy Peralta in tonight’s ALCS Game 2

Cleveland turns to its rookie left-hander at Tropicana Field on Tuesday, with first pitch at 8 p.m. ET, 6 p.m. Mountain.

Cleveland pitcher Parker Messick shakes hands with Coast Guard Cmdr. Hoon Park
Parker Messick, right, greets U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. Hoon Park at Progressive Field on May 16, 2026. File photograph. · Credit: Michael Lauofo / U.S. Coast Guard / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Parker Messick and Freddy Peralta are the scheduled starters for Tuesday’s ALCS Game 2 between the Cleveland Guardians and Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. First pitch on October 13 is set for 8 p.m. ET, 6 p.m. Mountain.

Cleveland takes a 1-0 lead into the second game of the best-of-seven series. Messick, a 25-year-old left-hander, will pitch on regular rest after his last Division Series start Thursday.

Sportsnet reported that Messick finished the regular season with a 2.56 ERA, 193 strikeouts and 49 walks in 186⅓ innings. His first two playoff starts were shorter, totaling 6⅔ innings with four earned runs allowed. Cleveland will look for a longer outing as it tries to extend its series lead.

Peralta, Tampa Bay’s 30-year-old right-hander, joined the Rays at the trade deadline and finished the season strongly. He is making his second start of this postseason after allowing one run against the Yankees in the Division Series.

The series has an off day Wednesday before moving to Cleveland for Game 3 on Thursday. Final batting orders may differ from the projected lineups in the MLB game guide.

When and where to watch

Game Cleveland Guardians at Tampa Bay Rays, ALCS Game 2
Date and venue Tuesday, October 13, 2026; Tropicana Field
Start 8 p.m. Eastern / 6 p.m. Mountain
United States TBS and truTV; streaming on HBO Max
Canada Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ in English; TVA Sports in French

Photograph: Michael Lauofo / U.S. Coast Guard / Wikimedia Commons. U.S. government work, public domain.

Sources and notes

  1. https://www.mlb.com/news/guardians-vs-rays-alcs-game-2-starting-lineups-and-pitching-matchup
  2. https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/guardians-messick-to-start-game-2-of-alcs-vs-rays/