The Rays are in the World Series.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays are in the World Series. They beat the Cleveland Guardians 7–3 on Monday night in Game 6 and took the American League Championship Series, four games to two. It is the franchise's third pennant, and the first since 2020. Freddy Peralta, the series MVP, allowed one run on five hits in 5 1/3 innings, with three walks and three strikeouts. He was 2–0 in the series: one run in 12 innings. Junior Caminero and Yandy Díaz each hit a two-run homer. Richie Palacios opened the scoring with a two-run double in the second. After the game Caminero told the crowd, “This is for you! Let's go! I can't hear you!” Erik Neander, the president of baseball operations, said of Díaz, “Yandy had a claim to back and he did his part. That was unbelievable.”

Game 1 against the Milwaukee Brewers is Friday night in Milwaukee. The Brewers swept the Los Angeles Dodgers. Neither the Rays nor the Brewers has won a World Series. The Associated Press noted that the two clubs are both seeking a first title in a matchup of a kind not seen since the Phillies beat the Royals in 1980. Cleveland's championship drought is now 78 years. Sunday's note had the Rays one win away. This is the win.

This is for you!

The photograph is Caminero in the white home uniform, down on a knee, both arms up, the crowd standing behind him. It is the celebration of the two-run homer in Game 6. It is not Sunday's picture of Drew Rasmussen.