Rays turn to Glasnow to oppose Astros' Cole in decisive Game 5

With their season on the line, the Tampa Bay Rays will turn to right-hander Tyler Glasnow to start Game 5 of the ALDS against the Houston Astros.

"Lining up, I was assuming I would get it," Glasnow said, according to MLB.com's Juan Toribio. "It was important to stay prepared, knowing I could have gone out of the bullpen yesterday and today. Luckily, we played super well, and I'm excited to pitch in Game 5."

Glasnow, who went 6-1 with a 1.78 ERA in 12 regular-season starts, took the loss in Game 1 on Friday. He allowed two earned runs on four hits and three walks over 4 1/3 innings of work.

He got through four scoreless frames before becoming unglued in the fifth. He'll need to be sharper in Thursday's finale.

Houston has its own ace in the hole in Gerrit Cole toeing the rubber opposite Glasnow. Cole started Game 2 and dominated, striking out 15 batters in 7 2/3 innings in the 3-1 win.

The winner of Game 5 will move on to face the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series. Game 1 is scheduled for Saturday.