Rasmussen entered the pitcher’s duel because the Rays were not moving to win a berth in the World Series

CLEVELAND — A pivotal ALCS Game 5 that looked on paper as a premium pitcher’s duel unraveled into a much different one on Sunday, as the Tampa Bay Rays downed Cleveland 3-1 at Progressive Field to move within one win of a World Series berth. While the final score suggests a closely contested ball, the story of the two starting pitchers tells otherwise.

When the AL Cy Young Award is announced next month, it’s a safe bet that New York Yankees ace Cam Schlittler will win the honor. Toronto’s Dylan Stop appears to be very similar to the runner. Beyond that, both Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen and Rangers rookie lefty Parker Messick have a strong case to be the third finalist based on their fantastic regular seasons. Rasmussen is third in fWAR (5.0) and fourth in ERA (2.67) behind Schlittler and Stop; The Mexican ranked fourth in fWAR (4.9) and third in ERA (2.56).

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These are the starting pitchers for Game 5 on Sunday. Rasmussen had thrown six innings of two-run ball in Game 1 — but in a loss to the Rays. Messick pitched five innings and allowed three runs in Game 2 — but in a Rangers loss. With the series tied at two games apiece, Sunday’s frontline clash gave each arm a tantalizing opportunity to push their club closer to the American pennant.

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To neutral observers hoping for the greatest drama of October, the impression of the best reason for the collision could be found in July, when Rasmussen and Messick gave strikes in a 1-0 victory for the Rays in the Tropicana field. In that one, Messick allowed a solitary run over 7⅔ innings, while Rasmussen allowed just one hit over seven shutouts. If it was a similar game on Sunday’s strike – this time with the stakes very high – it would mean a good chance or a second strike would be needed to grab a narrow victory. But such visions of repeating the nailbiter were hurriedly dismissed by these first selectmen.

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On Sunday, Mexico’s tired Rays from the get-go quickly eliminated any chance of a classic season standings. While the rookie southpaw’s velocity has held up this season, even as his workload has extended well beyond his previous career high, his command has faltered noticeably in recent weeks. Mexican Junior Caminero struck out twice in the first two innings, but that’s about all things left well. Although he allowed just one extra-base hit (a Yandy Díaz double to lead off the game) and two runs, the Rays’ pesky lineup forced him to throw 31 pitches in the first inning and 26 in the second, prompting Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt to turn to his bullpen far earlier than he had planned.

A Chandler Simpson leadoff double followed by a Liam Hicks RBI single made it 3-0 Tampa Bay in the third inning against Tim Herrin, the second of six Cleveland pitchers who took the mound in a losing effort Sunday. This was a comfortable enough cushion for Rasmussen, who was holding up his end of the bargain for those who were hoping to see some sort of cutting start.

Rasmussen’s excellence was on full display in his first October start, when he carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning against the Yankees in the ALDS, but he wasn’t as sharp six days earlier in the series opener against Cleveland. The breakthrough in Game 1 came when Rays manager Kevin Cash committed Rasmussen, at 90 pitches, to take over Cleveland’s bottom line in the seventh inning with a 2-1 lead. Then Guardians catcher Patrick Bailey dribbled the first pitch and shot him for the game’s solo shot that wasted Rasmussen’s solid effort. From there, the Rays kept the bullpen on their way to a 7-3 victory.

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A similar scenario recently emerged in Rasmussen’s Game 5. Dexter had cruised through five scoreless innings, but gave up a run in the sixth to make it 3-1. The bottom of Cleveland’s order was hitting in the seventh, and Rasmussen had thrown 83 pitches. Money stuck with the acc again, and this time he was rewarded.

After Nathaniel Lowe led off with one out, Rasmussen won a seven-pitch battle with Guardians rookie Travis Bazzana that ended in a harmless popout. Rasmussen then exacted revenge on Bailey for a Game 1 blowout, leading into an inning-ending double play to punctuate his outing and complete seven innings of one-run ball. It was Rasmussen’s vintage performance, with his three pitches (four-seamer, grounder, home run) keeping hitters off-base and a heavy dose of changeups, soft pitches and weak contact all night.