Before the season started, it would have been almost impossible to believe that the Cleveland Guardians could be in first place with Jose Ramirez batting close to .100. Yet, that has turned out to be the case with the All-Star third baseman in a prolonged slump to start the season.
After an 0-for-13 stretch lowered his batting average to .133, Ramirez had two hits, including an RBI double, in the recent series finale against the Kansas City Royals. It helped the Guardians win their fourth series of the year, making them one of just two teams not to lose one so far this season.
Now, with Ramirez showing signs of breaking out of his early-season slump, Cleveland goes on the road to face the other team that hasn’t lost a series, the Atlanta Braves.
“Jose Ramirez is still searching for his early-season rhythm, hitting .163 with one home run and six RBIs through his first 13 games, though he’s shown signs of life with six hits, a homer and three RBIs over his last 10 contests,” Joe Noga wrote.
The 2-for-4 showing against the Royals was just Ramirez’s second two-hit game of the season. The other came in the home opener against the Chicago Cubs on April 3.
He began the campaign by going 2-for-16 in the opening four-game series split at the Seattle Mariners. He then went 2-for-12 in three games against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and he followed that by going 2-for-11 in three games against the Chicago Cubs.
After going 0-for-6 in the first two games against the Royals, he was part of a big offensive outburst by the entire team in a 10-2 win on Wednesday. For the season, the 33-year-old has a slash line of .163/.255/.286 with just eight hits, one home run, and two stolen bases while playing in all 13 games.
Though it is very early in the season, he is well off the pace of his third straight 30-30 season, which, if accomplished, would make him the only player in MLB history other than Barry Bonds to reach that mark in three straight years. He also would struggle to become the ninth player in history to reach 300 career home runs and 300 career stolen bases, as he entered the season needing 15 homers and 13 steals to get there.
Based on the consistency Ramirez has shown throughout his career, he should be expected to bounce back in a big way once he finds his stroke again.
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