The Guardians' role players have answered the call so far in ALCS

Petey Halpin is not known as a power hitter, but will forever be known around Cleveland for his powerful swing in Game 3 of the ALCS that gave the Guardians the lead and an eventual 2-1 series lead over the Rays.

Halpin’s hit was emblematic of a larger theme throughout the Guardians' postseason run; while the general stats may not always be there, their M.O. is to get production throughout a lineup that suddenly seems deep.

While the Guardians got contributions from up and down their lineup in the regular season, they've had a new confidence in the postseason that makes it seem like the hitters in the Guardians lineup know they're going to get results, even if the hitter who is going to generate it is still unkown.

Make no mistake, the Guardians would not be in this position if José Ramírez and Chase DeLauter weren't on the runs they are currently on. Their two best hitters have produced as such, taking pressure off the supporting cast. But as we have seen in previous postseasons, they too wouldn'[t be here if it were not for the role players.

The Guardians' lineup has carried them in the ALCS

Halpin is only the latest example. Nathaniel Lowe has has had some great at-bats in the ALCS thus far; He's knocked in three runs in the series (including the first of yesterday’s game) and grinded out plate appearances against elite pitching. His presence in the middle of the order has provided protection for Jo Adell while also passing the baton to Travis Bazzana and others.

Patrick Bailey is another player who has burst onto the scene this October, hitting .348 and with a one-dotter of an OPS. He is seemingly in the action everywhere, throwing out runners with his unique side-arm whip down to second and always providing elite framing and blocking at the plate.

The Guardians lineup will need to keep up their balanced approach moving forward as runs have been hard to come by this series, set aside the last few innings of Game 1.

That will make the decision by Rays manager Kevin Cash of who to pitch to and who to pitch around all the more difficult. Nick Martinez, who was knocked out early in his lone ALDS start, will start Game 4 tonight for the Rays. In 13 innings against Cleveland this season, he's only scored one run.

Those offenses were different than the one the Guardians are currently rolling with. This team seems set on completing a mission others could not in year’s past due to the lineup's shortcomings.

Now, the tone is different. And a couple of good swings later today could put the Guardians within a game of the Fall Classic, 10 years after their magical 2016 run.

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