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

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.