José Ramírez sits against Royals on Sunday

Murray reported that many teams expressed interest in acquiring Kwan at this year’s trade deadline, but the Guardians saw a chance to make a playoff run and opted to hold onto their outfielder. Now, with Kwan entering the final year of his deal and the Guardians unlikely to sign him to an extension, the market for him is likely to heat up again. Kwan had a down year in 2026, hitting .282/.382/.349 with three home runs and 32 RBI; however, he was sixth in baseball in WAR from June 30 to the end of the regular season, and some teams may see that as a sign that he is due for a bounce-back in 2027.

DeLauter drove in a run in the sixth on a fielder’s choice, and unfortunately for him and the Guardians it came with Cleveland trailing by three. He also drew a walk and now has a .297/.395/.432 slash in his 10 postseason games in 2026.

If you’re keeping track at home, it’s also the same lineup that they deployed in victories in Game 1 and 3 of the series. Battling Rays’ right-hander Drew Rasmussen is always a very difficult assignment, but they managed to earn a victory against him in Game 1, so they know that it can be done. Here’s the full lineup that manager Stephen Vogt has turned in for the Guardians’ most critical game of the season on Sunday: Steven Kwan (LF), José Ramírez (3B), Chase DeLauter (RF), Jo Adell (DH), Nathaniel Lowe (1B), Travis Bazzana (2B), Patrick Bailey (C), Petey Halpin (CF) and Brayan Rocchio (SS).

The matchup is the same as in last night’s rained out game, so there’s no need to changeup the lineup of
Steven Kwan (LF), Jose Ramírez (3B), Chase DeLauter (RF), Jo Adell (DH), Nathaniel Lowe (1B), Travis Bazzana (2B), Patrick Bailey (C), Petey Halpin (CF) and Brayan Rocchio (SS).

Even though the Guardians only scored three runs in the contest, the Guardians feel like that’s the best possible lineup that they are able to put on the field against an opposing right-hander, so there’s no need to change anything up. Game 3 hero Petey Halpin will start in center field and bat eighth. Here’s the full lineup that they’ll deploy against Rays’ right-hander Nick Martinez as they look to take a commanding 3-1 advantage in the series: Steven Kwan (LF), Jose Ramírez (3B), Chase DeLauter (RF), Jo Adell (DH), Nathaniel Lowe (1B), Travis Bazzana (2B), Patrick Bailey (C), Petey Halpin (CF) and Brayan Rocchio (SS).

Bailey was not in the starting lineup for Game 2, but he drew a walk as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning. The 27-year-old has reached a new offensive height with a more pull-centric approach in Cleveland. He has gone 7-for-20 with two home runs, five RBI, and a 5/2 K/BB ratio so far this postseason.

Ramírez remained sizzling-hot as the Guardians erased an early deficit to rally for a comeback victory in the opener of a best-of-seven series, scoring all seven of their runs in the sixth inning or later. The 34-year-old franchise cornerstone capped off a sublime three-hit performance by extending Cleveland’s lead with a two-out RBI single in the ninth inning. He’s gone 8-for-17 with two homers and eight RBI over his last four postseason games. The two teams will square off again at Tropicana Field in Game 2 on Tuesday night.

DeLauter spearheaded Cleveland’s relentless offensive effort in this one as he tallied three hits, including a sixth-inning solo shot off Rays ace Drew Rasmussen. His most consequential knock was an eighth-inning double that set up a go-ahead two-run single by ensuing batter Nathaniel Lowe. He also drew a walk, reaching base safely in three of his five plate appearances. The 25-year-old rookie has fit perfectly with franchise cornerstone José Ramírez in the heart of Cleveland’s lineup, hitting .333 (8-for-24) with one homer and three RBI this postseason.

Ramírez served as Cleveland’s primary offensive catalyst, sparking a memorable comeback to take down the division-rival White Sox in a decisive Game 5 to reach the ALCS for the first time since 2016. The 34-year-old franchise cornerstone hit .417 (5-for-12) with two homers and seven RBI during the final three games of the series. They’ll face a tough challenge against Rays ace Drew Rasmussen at Tropicana Field to kick off the best-of-seven series. Here’s the full lineup: Steven Kwan (LF), Ramírez (3B), Chase DeLauter (RF), Jo Adell (DH), Nathaniel Lowe (1B), Travis Bazzana (2B), Patrick Bailey (C), Petey Halpin (CF) and Brayan Rocchio (SS).

Ramírez golfed a pitch well below his ankles out of the park for a two-run shot that gave Cleveland a 2-0 lead in the fifth inning. That pitch was just 0.74 feet off the ground, which is the lowest in the history of the tracking era (2008). That’s the second homer of the postseason for Ramírez, and it’s a great reminder of how incredible the 34-year-old has been after his worst regular season due to injuries and lackluster — comparatively, in particular — results when on the field. He’ll now have a chance to reach the World Series for a second time if they can get pat the Rays in the ALCS, with that series beginning Monday.