Guardians’ season ends with quiet bats, a dreaded bullpen game – Terry Pluto

Chris O'Meara

Posted Monday, October 19, 2026 11:42 pm

Terry Pluto (via Cleveland.com)

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Bryan Baker celebrates their win against the Cleveland Guardians in Game 6 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Tampa Bay Rays' Yandy Díaz celebrates his two-run home run against the Cleveland Guardians during the eighth inning in Game 6 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tampa Bay Rays' Junior Caminero scores past Cleveland Guardians catcher Patrick Bailey sacrifice fly during the third inning in Game 6 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Cleveland Guardians' Nathaniel Lowe hits an RBI-single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the sixth inning in Game 6 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Cleveland Guardians' Angel Martínez gets hit by a pitch with the bases loaded against the Tampa Bay Rays during the eighth inning in Game 6 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Tampa Bay Rays' Junior Caminero scores past Cleveland Guardians catcher Patrick Bailey sacrifice fly during the third inning in Game 6 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Tampa Bay Rays' Jonathan Aranda is hit by a pitch against the Cleveland Guardians during the fourth inning in Game 6 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Cleveland Guardians' Travis Bazzana reacts after flying out Tampa Bay Rays during the second inning in Game 6 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Cleveland Guardians pitcher Tim Herrin throws against the Tampa Bay Rays during the second inning in Game 6 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Tampa Bay Rays' Chandler Simpson steals second past Cleveland Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio during the second inning in Game 6 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Tampa Bay Rays' Chandler Simpson steals second past Cleveland Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio during the second inning in Game 6 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Cleveland Guardians pitcher Shawn Armstrong leaves the game against the Tampa Bay Rays during the second inning in Game 6 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Cleveland Guardians pitcher Matt Festa throws against the Tampa Bay Rays during the second inning in Game 6 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Tampa Bay Rays' Junior Caminero hits single against the Cleveland Guardians during the second inning in Game 6 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Cleveland Guardians pitcher Shawn Armstrong throws against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning in Game 6 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Cleveland Guardians pitcher Tim Herrin throws against the Tampa Bay Rays during the second inning in Game 6 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Tampa Bay Rays' Chandler Simpson steals second past Cleveland Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio during the second inning in Game 6 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Cleveland Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio fails to catch a fly ball hit by Tampa Bay Rays' Liam Hicks during the third inning in Game 6 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Cleveland Guardians pitcher Shawn Armstrong throws against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning in Game 6 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Cleveland Guardians' Steven Kwan singles against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning in Game 6 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Cleveland Guardians third baseman José Ramírez warms up during batting practice before Game 6 of an American League Championship Series baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Cleveland Guardians pitcher Shawn Armstrong throws against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning in Game 6 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

CLEVELAND, Ohio — As the Guardians’ season ended with a 7-3 loss to Tampa Bay Monday night, I kept thinking about the Guardians’ bullpen.