Guardians Name Foster Griffin as ALCS Game 1 Starting Pitcher Against Rays

The Cleveland Guardians have named left-handed pitcher Foster Griffin as their Game 1 starter for the American League Championship Series against the Tampa Bay Rays on October 12 at 8 p.m. Griffin, acquired from the Washington Nationals at the trade deadline following his NL All-Star selection, struck out seven batters in 2⅔ relief innings during the ALDS. The Rays ranked 25th in MLB with a .679 OPS against left-handed pitchers, a factor in Cleveland's pitching decision. Drew Rasmussen will start for Tampa Bay, which won the regular-season series against Cleveland 5-1.