José Ramírez golfs homer, Guardians advance to ALCS

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).

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.

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 clobbered a go-ahead 378-foot (103.1-mph EV) two-run homer off of Jordan Hicks in the fifth inning that briefly gave the Guardians a 3-2 lead. He then added an RBI single as part of a six-run rally in the sixth inning. He’ll need more heroics like that if the Guardians are going to complete their massive comeback from being down 0-2 in the series when they play in a critical Game 5 at home on Saturday.

The Guardians were able to stave off elimination with a victory in Game 3 on Wednesday and they’ll run back an almost identical lineup as they try to do the same in Game 4. The only change will be Hedges catching instead of Patrick Bailey. Here’s the full lineup for the Guardians in a must-win spot against Hagen Smith and company on Thursday evening in Chicago: Steven Kwan (CF), Jose Ramirez (3B), Chase DeLauter (RF), Jo Adell (DH), Nathaniel Lowe (1B), Angel Martinez (LF), Travis Bazzana (2B), Hedges (C) and Brayan Rocchio (SS).

Ramírez helped Cleveland stave off elimination at Rate Field with a multi-hit performance after going hitless in six at-bats through the first two games of the best-of-five series. The 34-year-old franchise cornerstone snapped out of his brief postseason funk by scalding a 106.5-mph double off White Sox rookie Noah Schultz in the fifth inning. He swiped second base and crossed the plate thanks to a brilliant slide on a fielder’s choice later in the frame. He extended Cleveland’s lead by supplying a pair of key insurance runs with a triple down the left-field line with two outs in the eighth inning. He also made a phenomenal defensive play at the hot corner to take away a potential bases-loaded hit from Miguel Vargas in the sixth inning. The Guardians need one more victory in Game 4 on Thursday evening to keep their season alive and send it back to Cleveland for a winner-take-all Game 5 on Saturday.

Ramírez, who did manage to walk and score a run in this one, has gone 0-for-6 with three strikeouts during the first two contests of the best-of-five series. The Guardians have mustered just three runs on seven hits combined during that span. They’ll attempt to stave off elimination when the series shifts to Chicago for Game 3 on Wednesday evening.

With the American League Central wrapped up, Guardians’ skipper Stephen Vogt is using Sunday as an opportunity to give several of his regulars a day off including Ramírez, Steven Kwan, Chase DeLauter, Patrick Bailey and Brayan Rocchio.

Ramírez doubled to begin the fourth, advanced to third on a flyout and scored on Jo Adell’s tapper in front of the plate. The steal, his 35th of the year, came later in the eighth. He’s seventh in the majors in steals, and with just four caught stealings, he has the best success rate of any of the 12 players with 30 steals.

It’s been a down year for Ramírez based on his surreal track record of first-round fantasy production that stretches back nearly a decade. However, he’s come on strong approaching the finish line when the Guardians, and fantasy managers, have needed him most this season. The 34-year-old stalwart came through with a game-tying RBI single in the fourth inning before extending Cleveland’s lead with a solo homer in the sixth inning. It was his 12th big fly of the season. He also picked up his 34th stolen base of the year in this one. With the victory, the Guardians remain in a virtual tie with the White Sox for the AL Central division title with just over one week left in the regular season.