Cleveland Guardians vs. Tampa Bay Rays: AL wild-card series game one preview

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Cleveland handled Tampa Bay well this season, going 4-2 overall and winning both the home and road series. This includes a three-game series in September which was played in a playoff-like atmosphere as both teams were fighting for playoff spots and jockeying for seeding at that point.

On the season, Cleveland has played well at home, so in the new format where they have home-field advantage for all three games, that could be a factor. Progressive Field also provides an intimate atmosphere that can get loud and exciting. Look for the Cleveland faithful to add to the home-field advantage for the opening afternoon game.

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – SEPTEMBER 06: Starting pitcher Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Guardians throws in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on September 06, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /

We could not ask for a better matchup to start the playoffs than two young aces at the top of their game. For the Guardians, Shane Bieber went 13-8 with a 2.88 ERA this year, providing consistency and stability at the top of the young Guardians rotation. The Rays will counter with AL All-Star starter Shane McClanahan. While McClanahan has been excellent this year, sporting a 2.54 ERA on the season, health and endurance may be a factor in this game. McClanahan has been dealing with a neck issue and has not thrown more than five innings in a game since August 24.

KANSAS CITY, MO – JULY 10: Jose Ramirez #11 of the Cleveland Guardians hits in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on July 10, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /

With a pitching matchup of this caliber, runs will be at a premium. This is the reason that power often wins in the postseason. However, these teams are not built to mash. Neither team is built to win that way, so expect a low-scoring game. This game will likely come down to which offense can string a couple of hits together and run the bases well.

The key player that I’m watching in this game is Wander Franco, the Rays’ young shortstop. Franco seemed on his way to stardom before a hamate injury led to surgery and a prolonged rehab assignment with unexpected setbacks. He returned from the IL on September 9, but did not hit a home run in September. This is not unusual, as wrist injuries are known to sap power.

In the Rays’ second-to-last game of the year against the Red Sox, Franco finally hit a solo shot, breaking his home run drought. He is the type of player who could get hot and transform a postseason by carrying a team. If he is completely healthy and his power is returning, this could be a completely different Rays team than the Guardians have seen previously this season.

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