CLEVELAND, Ohio — Brayan Rocchio wasn’t supposed to be the hero. Not after hitting .233 during the regular season. Not after being demoted to the minors earlier this year when he was batting a dismal .165. Not after losing his starting shortstop job.

Yet here we are, watching Playoff Rocchio emerge once again as the catalyst for another dramatic Guardians victory.

With Cleveland facing elimination against Detroit in Game 2 of the American League wild card series, their offense appeared lifeless through seven innings, managing just a run on two hits. Then, tied at 1-1 in the eighth inning with one out, Rocchio stepped to the plate against Tigers reliever Troy Melton.

What happened next has become the stuff of Cleveland legend.

“José Ramírez gave him the word before he went to the plate

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