The Cleveland Guardians will hope to stave off elimination in Game 6 without ace Gavin Williams on the mound.
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt announced moments after his team's Game 5 loss that Cleveland will use an opener Monday.
"That's not an option," Vogt told reporters when asked if Williams could start on short rest. "We have to look at everything after today. We'll have a plan, but we're not sure who's going to take the ball first."
After pitching three times in the ALDS - once in relief - Williams has only started once in the ALCS. The right-hander tossed five innings in Game 3 on Thursday, allowing two runs while striking out nine and picking up the win.
The 27-year-old, who pitched a career-high 184 1/3 innings during the regular season, is second in innings pitched (16 2/3) this postseason.
The Guardians have used 12 pitchers this series and needed to deploy six in Game 5 after starter Parker Messick lasted only two innings.
The Rays will throw Freddy Peralta in Game 6, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. The right-hander has already pitched twice in the series, picking up the win in Game 2 as a starter and then securing two outs in relief in Game 4 on Saturday.
Peralta's thrown 6 2/3 shutout innings across the ALCS, having allowed only four hits while striking out six.
