The fourth inning of Tuesday’s 3-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series changed the outcome of the contest. It was pivotal in many ways.
With the game still in a scoreless tie and no outs, Parker Messick tossed what looked like a strike three to Junior Caminero, but the umpire missed it, and the left-hander later walked the Rays’ slugger. There was no challenge from the Guardians.
Then, Brayan Rocchio could have made a better throw to first to complete what looked like a potential double play. Just minutes later, with two outs, Jose Ramirez committed a rare error that opened the floodgates for a Rays’ rally.
Some Guardians fans have put Rocchio in the spotlight as a target of criticism, not because of that play, but also because he’s been highly unproductive at the plate during the postseason. He is hitting .091 after Tuesday’s game, with a -10 wRC+ and a .291 OPS.
Analyst Ken Carman, however, suggested everyone should be more patient with the shortstop. He feels people are overreacting.
“We’re always so quick to bench guys. Guys, we’re not the Yankees. The Yankees, they just want everybody benched if they’re not doing well, okay? If you have that type of history and you have that type of payroll, you can go ahead and have that standard. But it’s an unrealistic standard in our world. If you’re making such quick, strong moves, I don’t trust your manager. I also think your front office is making bad decisions. I’m not giving up on guys that they’ve selected. I’m not giving up on guys that they traded for. It is always going to be the advantage of the veteran. And all it takes is Brayan Rocchio to come up in one moment with two on and two out and give me a two-run single. That’s all I need to change the conversation on Brayan Rocchio. Seriously,” Carman said.
“We’re always so quick to bench guys. Guys, we’re not the Yankees.”
➡️ @KenCarman w/ @SportsBoyTony on why the Fans shouldn’t overreact to Brayan Rocchio struggles after one ALCS loss.#Guardians pic.twitter.com/xDXg64HxC0
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) October 14, 2026
In September, everyone was talking about ‘Rocctember’ and ‘Rocctober’, in reference to Rocchio’s constant heroics and game-winning hits and plays. He has a flair for the dramatic, with signature walk-off home runs and game-winning batted balls. This time, however, that kind of play hasn’t been there, not in the postseason, at least.
That doesn’t mean he can’t improve and start delivering some of those moments eventually, though. Some fans have suggested that Cleveland needs to sit Rocchio and start Angel Genao at shortstop, but in reality, the Guardians are a better team with Rocchio. He took a step forward as a hitter this year, with a 99 wRC+ and 15 home runs, and is a phenomenal fielder. One play (a difficult one, to be fair) won’t change that.
In the end, patience seems to be the best possible route for the Guardians right now. They can be rewarded dearly.
NEXT: Analyst Sees The Bigger Picture After Guardians’ Game 2 Loss
