ST. PETERSBURG — The Cleveland Guardians have spent much of this postseason proving that they're a difficult team to put away. After coming from behind to defeat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-3 in Monday's American League Championship Series opener, Cleveland now has an opportunity to return home with a commanding 2-0 series lead.

The Guardians have won four consecutive postseason games, including three straight elimination games against the Chicago White Sox in the ALDS. Monday's victory was particularly encouraging because Cleveland overcame an early deficit against a Tampa Bay team that dominated their regular-season meetings.

The Rays won five of six games against Cleveland during the regular season, but the Guardians have already accomplished something the New York Yankees couldn't do in their Division Series matchup against Tampa Bay: beat the Rays.

Now Cleveland will look to make it two in a row.

The Pitching Matchup

Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt will send left-hander Parker Messick (12-9, 2.56 ERA) to the mound against Tampa Bay right-hander Freddy Peralta (10-11, 4.42 ERA).

Messick was one of Cleveland's most dependable starters throughout the regular season, recording 193 strikeouts in 186? innings. The 25-year-old also earned an All-Star selection while establishing himself as an important part of the Guardians' rotation.

His postseason, however, has been more challenging. In two starts against Chicago, Messick posted a 5.40 ERA over 6? innings, striking out 11 but struggling to consistently keep runners off base.

There is reason for optimism heading into tonight's matchup. Messick has performed exceptionally well against Tampa Bay during his young career, posting a 1.03 ERA in four starts against the Rays. He has allowed no more than one earned run in any of those outings.

Tonight's start also carries some personal significance. Messick grew up in Plant City, Florida, and attended Rays games at Tropicana Field as a child. Now he'll take the mound in that same ballpark with an opportunity to help Cleveland move within two victories of the World Series.

Peralta, meanwhile, finished the regular season with a 4.42 ERA and 156 strikeouts in 169 innings. However, those overall statistics don't tell the entire story.

After struggling with the New York Mets, Peralta was traded to Tampa Bay in August and rediscovered his form. The right-hander posted a 3.25 ERA in 10 starts with the Rays, including an outstanding September in which he went 4-0 with a 0.96 ERA.

Peralta carried that momentum into the postseason, allowing just one earned run in 4? innings against the Yankees in the Division Series.

For Cleveland, getting another quality outing from Messick would be particularly valuable after the Guardians used five relievers to finish Monday's victory.

Cleveland's Offense Is Finding Its Rhythm

One of the biggest concerns entering the ALCS was Cleveland's offense, which struggled throughout the regular season and had been particularly ineffective against Tampa Bay.

Monday's performance offered another encouraging sign that the Guardians are finding their rhythm at exactly the right time.

Chase DeLauter finished with three hits, including a solo home run and a double. Patrick Bailey also homered, while Nathaniel Lowe delivered the decisive two-run single in the eighth inning.

Cleveland added three more runs in the ninth, finishing with 14 hits and seven runs against a Rays pitching staff that had been outstanding throughout the postseason.

Perhaps the most encouraging development was that the offense didn't rely entirely on José Ramírez.

Ramírez certainly contributed, collecting three hits and driving in a run, but Cleveland received production throughout its lineup. Jo Adell added a two-run double, and the Guardians demonstrated an ability to generate offense against both Tampa Bay's starter and its bullpen.

That balance will be important against Peralta, particularly if Cleveland can force the Rays to use additional relievers early.

The Pressure Shifts to Tampa Bay

The Guardians entered the series as the underdogs, but Monday's victory immediately changed the situation.

Tampa Bay now faces the possibility of traveling to Cleveland trailing 2-0, with the next three games scheduled for Progressive Field.

The Rays remain a dangerous opponent. Junior Caminero helped Tampa Bay build its early lead Monday, and Cedric Mullins provided a late home run that briefly brought the Rays within one run.

However, Cleveland's bullpen prevented the comeback from going any further, and the Guardians' offense put the game away in the ninth.

Tampa Bay will be looking for a much stronger performance from its pitching staff tonight, particularly after surrendering five runs over the final two innings Monday.

The Guardians, meanwhile, have an opportunity to put significant pressure on the American League's top seed.

Game Information

The series shifts to Progressive Field for Game 3 on Thursday, October 15, at 6 p.m. ET. Cleveland will host Games 4 and 5 as well, with Game 5 played only if necessary.