CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Guardians are two victories away from returning to the World Series for the first time in a decade, and they have an opportunity to take a commanding lead in the American League Championship Series Friday night.

Cleveland enters Game 4 against the Tampa Bay Rays holding a 2-1 series advantage after Thursday's 3-2 victory at Progressive Field. Petey Halpin's two-run home run in the fifth inning provided the decisive runs, while Gavin Williams struck out nine over five innings before the bullpen protected the lead.

The victory gave Cleveland its second win in three ALCS games after the teams split the opening two contests in St. Petersburg. Another victory Friday would put the Guardians one win away from their first American League pennant since 2016.

Cleveland's pitching has been instrumental in building that advantage. Williams allowed just two runs Thursday, and four relievers combined to surrender only one hit over the final four innings. Cade Smith handled the final four outs, including a crucial eighth-inning strikeout of Yandy Díaz with the tying run on third base.

Friday presents a different challenge, however, as Cleveland may need to piece together another strong pitching performance without a traditional starter.

Manager Stephen Vogt has not announced his starting pitcher for Game 4, with a bullpen game among the most likely options. Left-hander Joey Cantillo could play a significant role, while Tanner Bibee and Slade Cecconi are potential candidates to provide multiple innings.

The uncertainty places additional importance on Vogt's bullpen management, particularly after Cleveland used four relievers Thursday. With another game scheduled for Saturday, the Guardians must balance the immediate opportunity to take a commanding series lead against the need to preserve their pitching staff.

Tampa Bay, meanwhile, is expected to turn to veteran right-hander Nick Martinez, who finished the regular season 15-6 with a 3.10 ERA. Martinez made a career-high 31 starts this season and relies more on disrupting hitters' timing and inducing contact than overpowering opponents with strikeouts.

That approach puts additional importance on Cleveland's ability to produce consistent offense.

The Guardians managed only six hits Thursday, but Halpin's home run and Nathaniel Lowe's RBI double provided enough offense to win. José Ramírez contributed two singles, although Cleveland struggled to generate sustained rallies against Tampa Bay's pitching staff.

Against Martinez, the Guardians will need to capitalize on opportunities to put runners aboard and avoid allowing the veteran to work efficiently through the lineup. With Cleveland potentially relying on several pitchers, providing early run support would be big.

The Rays are also searching for more production from an offense that managed just three hits Thursday. Junior Caminero struck out four times in Game 3, while Chandler Simpson accounted for both Tampa Bay runs with a fourth-inning triple.

Cleveland has demonstrated that it can contain Tampa Bay's lineup, but doing so again with an unsettled pitching arrangement will require careful management from Vogt.

Weather adds another complication. Thursday's game was moved to the afternoon because of expected rain, and additional precipitation is forecast for Friday. A postponement could significantly alter both teams' plans, potentially allowing Cleveland to reconsider its pitching options and Tampa Bay to bring ace Drew Rasmussen back on normal rest.

The Guardians have already demonstrated their ability to overcome postseason adversity, erasing a 2-0 deficit against the Chicago White Sox in the Division Series by winning three consecutive elimination games.

Now Cleveland has an opportunity to put Tampa Bay in a similar position.

A victory Friday would give the Guardians a 3-1 ALCS lead and an opportunity to clinch the American League pennant at home Saturday. Cleveland has already shown it can win behind dominant starting pitching and outstanding relief work, but Game 4 may require a different approach.

If Vogt can successfully navigate his pitching options and the offense provides enough support, the Guardians could find themselves just one victory away from the World Series.

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