José Ramírez Poised to Lead Cleveland’s Offense in ALCS Game 3

CLEVELAND, Ohio — José Ramírez demonstrated his elite capabilities once again on Tuesday, launching a solo home run to right field off Luke Weaver in his final at-bat at Yankee Stadium. This display of power is a promising sign for Cleveland Guardians‘ fans, who hope for his continued prowess as they face New York in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series at Progressive Field.

Cleveland’s manager, Stephen Vogt, expressed confidence in Ramírez, noting his consistent performance over the season. “We’ve talked about it all year,” Vogt said. “He’s one of the best players in the league. If there’s anybody I’m confident in coming out [in Game 3] ready to go, it’s going to be Josey. He’s been our best player all year, and he continues to be.”

During the regular season, Ramírez was a force, hitting .326 with 72 RBI in 144 at-bats with runners in scoring position. His career stats underscore his reliability, with a .263 average in 547 at-bats with two outs and runners in scoring position, and a .298 average in 1,136 high-leverage plate appearances, according to Baseball Reference.

This postseason, however, he has faced heightened scrutiny from pitchers. While his batting average stands at .167 with two home runs and four RBIs in 24 at-bats, he has been walked intentionally three times, reflecting his reputation as a threat. He has struggled against starting pitchers, with a .077 average, but has fared better against relievers with a .273 average.

Vogt acknowledged that Ramírez’s consistent performance creates expectations, stating, “We all expect him to get the big hit every single time he gets up there, but he’s done that to himself.” While this pressure can be challenging, Vogt believes Ramírez thrives under it. “They want to be the guy, and they thrive on that. We saw it all year, Josey has done that. He’s stepped up huge for us in big situations, and I expect nothing less,” Vogt added.

Matthew Boyd, who is set to start for Cleveland in Game 3, noted Ramírez’s readiness and leadership qualities. Boyd remarked, “The coolest thing about Josey is the way he shows up ready to play every day. The guy is a gamer. Doesn’t matter how he feels. He’s the same guy every single day.” Boyd’s observations from both an opponent’s perspective and as a teammate underline Ramírez’s integral role in the Guardians’ lineup.

As the series continues, Cleveland will depend on Ramírez’s skills and leadership to make an impact against their formidable opponents, the New York Yankees, as they play the crucial Game 3 at home.