3 winners, 3 losers of Rays ALCS so far as potential clinch approaches

The Tampa Bay Rays are one win away from their third American League Pennant. They beat the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 on Sunday to go up 3-2 in the American League Championship Series.

Though five games, there have been a share of standouts and those still looking for their big moment. Here are three winners and losers of the the ALCS so far. It's not over yet, but here is how it's unfolded so far.

Winners

Freddy Peralta

Isn’t there anything he can’t do? He’s a starter for Game 2 and a clutch bullpen arm for Game 4. Now, he has a chance to continue his unreal run by getting on the mound for what can be the game that sends his team to the World Series.

Jonathan Aranda

Through the first three games, he would’ve been in the other category. He was hitless in all three games. But he’s stepped up in a big way in the last two games, and the Rays have flipped the script.

In the last two games, he’s 5-for-9 with three RBIs.

Being a member of the Big 3, the expectations are high, and now he’s delivering on them. Better late than never, but he’s making up for it in a massive way.

Drew Rasmussen

Rasmussen was nails again for the Rays on Sunday night, delivering seven innings of one-run ball to get them within a win of the Fall Classic.

Regardless of the case that was made for him to pitch on Saturday, everthing worked out.

In the ALCS, he's allowed three earned runs over 13 innings pitched. Hes' appeared in the seventh inning in both of his starts. He's the ace of the staff, and a prospect Cy Young Finalists. He's certainly looked like it on the biggest stages of his career.

Losers

Victor Mesa Jr.

For the most part, he’s been quiet this entire series. Cleveland pitching just has him beat. He’s struck out in seven of 18 at-bats. He has a lone and a walk to go with it.

With the mammoth finish that he had to the regular season, expectations were high for what he could bring in October. So far, it's been a polar opposite showing. One swing can make everyone forget about what's come before it, but that swing still awaits him.

Cole Susler

He’s made one postseason appearance. It didn’t go well, and he hasn’t pitched in a game since.

Will he be on a potential World Series roster? That seems unlikely. Get another arm in there that they call upon after something goes wrong in Game 1.

Ben Williamson

His base bit on Sunday night was his first of the postseason, let alone the ALCS. In total, he’s reached base three times.

Others, even those who have slumped, have had their moments. He’s still waiting on his. On the bright side, he still has a chance for one.

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