Junior Caminero Homers as Rays Clinch World Series Berth
Junior Caminero and Yandy Díaz homered as the Rays beat Cleveland 7-3 in ALCS Game 6 to reach the 2026 World Series.
World Baseball News Editorial Team , 2 min read 
The Tampa Bay Rays are going back to the World Series after Junior Caminero and Yandy Díaz each hit two-run home runs in a 7-3 victory over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series on Monday night.
Tampa Bay won the best-of-seven series 4-2 and captured the third American League pennant in franchise history. The Rays will face the Milwaukee Brewers in a World Series guaranteed to produce a first-time champion.
Rays strike early behind Peralta
Richie Palacios gave Tampa Bay control in the second inning with a two-run double. Jonny DeLuca added a sacrifice fly in the third, building a cushion for starter Freddy Peralta.
Peralta worked 5 1/3 innings and held Cleveland to one run on five hits. The right-hander earned his second victory of the ALCS and again gave the Rays the length they needed after their pitching staff carried them throughout the postseason.
Caminero delivered the defining swing in the seventh. The 23-year-old drove a two-run homer off the left-field foul pole, then paused near first base before beginning an emotional trip around the bases as Tropicana Field erupted.
The celebration included a tribute to former Rays star Randy Arozarena, who attended the game. Before touching home, Caminero crossed his arms in Arozarena’s familiar postseason pose.
Cleveland rally falls short
The Guardians created one final threat in the eighth inning, scoring twice and loading the bases. Kevin Kelly ended the rally by striking out Brayan Rocchio, preserving Tampa Bay’s lead with the potential tying run in the on-deck circle.
Díaz removed the remaining doubt in the bottom of the inning. The former Cleveland infielder hit a two-run homer that stretched the lead to four runs before Bryan Baker finished the ninth.
The clincher completed a dramatic turnaround for Tampa Bay. Cleveland took a 2-1 series lead after Game 3, but the Rays responded with three consecutive victories. They scored seven runs in Game 4, won a 3-1 pitching duel in Game 5 and finished the series at home with another seven-run performance.
A World Series without a previous champion
The Rays previously reached the World Series in 2008 and 2020 but lost both times. Their Game 6 victory came exactly 18 years after the franchise secured its first American League pennant on October 19, 2008.
Milwaukee has also never won a World Series. The Brewers’ only previous appearance came in 1982, when they lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games.
Game 1 is scheduled for Friday, October 23, at American Family Field in Milwaukee. The Brewers will hold home-field advantage after finishing the regular season 103-59, while Tampa Bay went 98-64.
