Three games have been enough to dramatically change Cleveland Guardians star Jose Ramirez’s postseason reputation. With the small sample sizes associated with October baseball, that’s often what it takes: just a handful of plate appearances.
Heading into the 2026 postseason, Ramirez had a reputation for failing to produce when it mattered most. In fact, the stats backed up that statement: in 190 plate appearances in the playoffs before this season, he was hitting a mediocre .234 with a middling 80 wRC+.
Then, he struggled in Games 1 and 2 of the American League Division Series. The murmurs didn’t stop, even though he has clearly been dealing with pain in his surgically repaired wrist. In fact, they grew louder.
Something clicked in Chicago, though. He took over Games 3 and 4 at Rate Field, and when it was time to return to Progressive Field for Game 5, he hit the game-winning two-run homer in the 2-0 victory. He has been so good in the last three contests that his 2026 postseason line is up to a robust .278/.409/.778 with a double, a triple, two homers, six runs, seven RBI, and a 1.187 OPS in five games.
Analyst Ken Carman asks a fair question. Is this AL Division Series resurgence enough to change the narrative about Ramírez’s postseason production?
“Are we done ripping on José Ramírez in the postseason yet? Is that all dead, or are we going to do this again this series? I’m serious. Because he came through in wild fashion, not just in Game 5, he came through as the series went on. Can we stop with that? I will still defend him if he had more veterans, more boppers around him. I think he’d get better pitches to hit, but he’s making the most out of the pitches he does get to hit. You won 2-0. He accounted for the runs. Are we done with the Jose Ramirez criticism?” Carman said.
“Are we done ripping on José Ramírez in the postseason yet?”
➡️ @KenCarman to @NickPedone12 on José Ramírez delivering throughout the series and why the postseason criticism should finally be put to rest.#Guardians pic.twitter.com/Oea4OyH2EO
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) October 12, 2026
It’s certainly a fair point. With the furious three-game run to end the ALDS, Ramirez’s career postseason numbers are up to a .238 batting average and a 93 wRC+. Yes, the last metric went from 80 to 93 in just five games.
If J-Ram has a strong League Championship Series, he has a chance to break even at 100. Of course, the Rays’ pitching staff is a superior unit compared to the White Sox’s, so the challenge will be much harder.
Ramirez, however, loves a challenge.
NEXT: Rays All-Star Has 'One-Of-A-Kind' Praise For Jose Ramirez
