The Postseason Leadership of Jose Ramirez

By Nate Miller

Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

October 12, 2026

It has been quite the postseason thus far for Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez. As his team prepares to face the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALCS, Ramirez will look to add to his already impressive numbers. That matchup will get underway Monday evening with first pitch scheduled for 8 pm Eastern at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. Lefty Foster Griffin will face off against right-hander Drew Rasmussen in the series opener.

Ramirez’ ALDS Heroics

After facing early criticism and playing through the effects of a prior wrist surgery, Jose Ramírez came to life, carrying the Guardians from a 2–0 deficit against the Chicago White Sox in the ALDS. They ultimately won that series three games to two. Barring any setbacks, his performance in the playoffs is sure to continue. In Game Three of the ALDS, he went 2-for-4 with a double, a triple, two RBI, two runs scored, and a stolen base in a 9–3 win that helped the Guardians avoid elimination.

In Game Four, he belted a crucial two-run home run. He also hit an RBI single in a 9–5 comeback victory. Ramirez also clubbed the game-winning two-run home run in the 2–0 winner-take-all clincher at Progressive Field in Cleveland. During the regular season, he notched his 1,000th career RBI and captured his 317th career stolen base.

Ramirez was sluggish in Games One and Two of the ALDS, but he exploded down the stretch, racking up five hits, four extra-base hits, four walk, and seven RBI in the final three games.

On-Field Intensity

During Games Four and Five, Ramírez showed rare, fiery emotion. He was seen chirping at White Sox players and umpires, as well as yelling back at opposing fans who called him derogatory names. Ramirez also soaked in cheers from the Cleveland faithful.

Perhaps this is one of the things that fueled his performance. One cannot help but feel the need to prove themselves against crowd feedback, positive or negative, in a playoff atmosphere such as that one. It will be very compelling to see what Ramirez does in this upcoming matchup against the Rays.

Ramirez in the Regular Season

Jose Ramirez had an up-and-down regular season. He has played through the effects of a left hamate bone surgery from June, which hampered his power and regular-season numbers. Ramirez admitted that playing through the recovery affected his swing and overall production for much of the second half. He hit 12 home runs and drove in 53 in 105 games. Additionally, Ramirez scored 71 runs and stole 37 bases in that stretch.