Yandy Díaz's three hits put the Rays one win from the World Series

October 19, 2026

Yandy Díaz, from Cuba's Pinar del Río province, sparked the Tampa Bay Rays' offense once again. On Sunday, October 18, at Cleveland's Progressive Field, the designated hitter went 3-for-5 with a double and scored the game's first run in a 3-1 win over the Guardians that gave Tampa Bay a 3-2 lead in the American League Championship Series.

Díaz led off the game with a line-drive double to center and came home on a bases-loaded walk in the first inning. He singled in the second to help set up the Rays' second run and added his third hit in the ninth. Starter Drew Rasmussen did the rest, allowing just one run over seven innings, and Bryan Baker closed it out for the save. Fellow Cuban Víctor Mesa Jr. came off the bench and played right field.

According to the Associated Press, Díaz has a hit in seven of the Rays' eight games this postseason and is batting .314 with four doubles. "It's a great opportunity. All of us are thinking of it. But it all ends tomorrow. We're going to win tomorrow," he said after the game.

Game 6 is set for Monday, October 19, in St. Petersburg, Florida, where the Rays will try to win their first American League pennant since 2020 and Cleveland will face elimination.