ST. PETERSBURG — The Tampa Bay Rays punched their ticket to the World Series for the third time in franchise history Monday night, defeating the Cleveland Guardians 7-3 in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series before a crowd of 40,230 at Tropicana Field — exactly 18 years after the franchise’s first pennant.

Closer Bryan Baker retired all three batters he faced in the ninth inning, ending the series on a Chase DeLauter popout caught by catcher Liam Hicks. The 98-win AL East champions now advance to the Fall Classic, where starter Freddy Peralta — named ALCS MVP — will face his former team.

“Not an easy play. After that was the typical blackout for 5-10 seconds, then I was just fending for my life when everyone was jumping all over us,” Baker said. “Huge mix of emotions there. Obviously super excited, and couldn’t be happier for this group.”

Peralta, a 30-year-old right-hander, was traded from the Brewers to the Mets in January before being dealt again to Tampa Bay mid-season after struggling in New York. Asked before the series what he would have said if told in spring training he’d be ALCS MVP and headed to the World Series, Peralta was blunt: “That you are crazy.”

The offensive punch came from Junior Caminero and Yandy Díaz, who each hit two-run home runs. Richie Palacios delivered a two-run double with two outs in the second inning to swing early momentum toward Tampa Bay. Díaz is the only player on the Rays’ ALCS roster who appeared in the 2020 World Series.

Manager Kevin Cash has now been present for all three of the Rays’ pennant-clinching victories — managing the 2020 win over the Houston Astros at Petco Park in San Diego and Monday’s clincher, and serving as a backup catcher for the Boston Red Sox during the 2008 ALCS.

Former Rays outfielder B.J. Upton, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch Monday, drew a direct line between the 97-win 2008 AL East champion and this year’s squad. “They wreak havoc, man. They do the little things well,” Upton said. “They’re playing baseball the right way.”

Radio broadcaster Andy Freed, who called the clincher alongside partner Dave Wills in 2008, had the call again Monday. “And for the third time in franchise history, the Tampa Bay Rays are heading to the World Series!” Freed said on air. “The Rays stream out of the dugout and party like it’s 2008 all over again!”

Hicks, reflecting on glowing the final out, kept it simple: “Something I’ll always remember, for sure.”

The World Series is scheduled to begin later this week, with Peralta expected to take the mound for Tampa Bay against his former Brewers or Mets — the source material does not specify the National League opponent — in what would be his first career World Series start.