Steven

Kwan

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.

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).

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).

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).

Kwan has gone 1-for-7 so far this series with one walk and one run scored. The Guardians have used Travis Bazzana as a leadoff hitter at times during the season, but Kwan is continuing to make lots of contact, so Cleveland will keep slotting him at the top of the lineup and hope that contact turns to hits on Wednesday. The entire Guardians lineup remains the same as Game 2 on Monday.

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.

Needing a win to ensure their one game lead in the American League Central would stay intact, the Guardians were shutout by Sonny Gray and three relievers against the Red Sox. Kwan did all he could though with two knocks and now has an astounding .355 batting average and .440 on-base percentage in the second half.

Kwan started the game with a 357-footer to right that was a homer in 15 ballparks and probably a double in the rest. It was just his third homer of the year, but he’s been very productive the last couple of months, hitting .356/.438/.411 with 38 runs scored in 51 games since the break. He scored a total of 37 runs in 89 games during the first half.