The Tampa Bay Rays are going back to the World Series. They beat the Cleveland Guardians 7-3 in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series on Monday night in St. Petersburg, Fla., to win the series 4-2, AP reported in a story carried by the Boston Globe.

It is the third pennant in the franchise's 29 seasons, and it came 18 years to the day after the Rays won their first in 2008, AP and MLB.com reported.

Freddy Peralta, named the series MVP, threw 5⅓ innings and allowed one run, AP reported. Pitching on just one day of rest, he kept beating hitters with high fastballs, Fox Sports reported: Cleveland swung at 25 of his 53 fastballs and missed on nine.

Richie Palacios gave Tampa Bay a 2-0 lead with a two-run double in the second inning. Junior Caminero hit a two-run homer off the left-field foul pole in the seventh, and Yandy Díaz added a two-run shot off Hunter Gaddis in the eighth, the reports said. Cleveland scored twice in the eighth and had the go-ahead run on base before Kevin Kelly struck out Brayan Rocchio with the bases loaded.

"This is for you!" Caminero shouted to the sellout crowd of 40,230 at Tropicana Field, which needed major repairs after Hurricane Milton shredded its roof two years ago, AP reported. The Rays played their 2025 home games in Tampa.

"It just hurts. It stings," Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. Cleveland's title drought now stands at 78 years, AP reported.

The World Series will crown a first-time champion. Neither the Rays nor the Brewers have won a title, and it is the first matchup of two such teams since the Phillies beat the Royals in 1980, AP and Fox Sports reported. Milwaukee swept the Dodgers in the NL Championship Series. Game 1 is Friday at 8 p.m. ET at American Family Field, MLB.com reported.

What we know: Tampa Bay won the pennant 4-2 and opens the World Series Friday in Milwaukee.
What we don't: Who will start Game 1 for either team.