It was always very clear that the Cleveland Guardians were not going to win anything during the playoffs if Jose Ramirez did not turn his lackluster season around. Now, with the superstar third baseman back at the top of his game, it looks like the Guardians may never lose again.
After helping Cleveland to a historic comeback against the Chicago White Sox in the ALDS, Ramirez picked up right where he left off in Game 1 of the ALCS against the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday. He had three hits, scored two runs, and made an impact on the bases in the 7-3 victory.
Afterward, Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt revealed how Ramirez is lifting the Guardians, as he is finding a way to affect the outcome on every level.
“It’s ‘Hosey.’ You know, he just has a knack for finding his way on base, and when he does, he makes things happen. If he doesn’t steal third right there, I don’t know if Jo’s ball gets through the infield for those last two runs. That’s what Hosey does. Put the ball in play. He can get down the line. He just makes things happen. Hosey’s our guy. When he gets going, when he gets on base, we know he’s gonna make some things happen. He puts pressure on the defense. It affects everything,” Vogt said.
"It's Hosey. You know, he just has a knack for finding his way on base, and when he does, he makes things happen
(Via MLB Video) #Guardians Stephen Vogt on José Ramírez's contined hot streak and what its done for Cleveland's clubhouse:
"Hosey's our guy… it just it affects… pic.twitter.com/xnksuS1Bm3
— Mason Horodyski (@MasonHorodyski) October 13, 2026
Ramirez did not use his rediscovered power the way he did against the White Sox in Games 4 and 5 of that series, when he hit a two-run home run in each of the must-win victories. But against the Rays, he still made things happen.
He had an infield single in the first inning before a flyout to right in the third and a strikeout in the fifth. Cleveland trailed 2-0 before solo home runs by Chase DeLauter and Patrick Bailey tied the game heading into the top of the eighth at Tropicana Field.
Ramirez then started the game-winning rally with another infield single, which was followed by a double by DeLauter, who also had a strong outing. Nathaniel Lowe drove them both in with a single for a 4-2 lead.
After the Rays got back within one run, Ramirez ignited the Guardians again in the ninth. He hit a two-out RBI single, and after he reached second on a wild pitch, DeLauter walked. With Jo Adell at the plate, Ramirez broke for third, and when Rays third baseman Junior Caminero went to cover the bag, Adell’s grounder was able to get through the vacated space for a two-run double and plenty of insurance runs.
Ramirez showed that a player of his caliber can change the game at any time, and with him performing at this level, there is no limit to what the Guardians can dream of or accomplish.
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