Guardians' José Ramírez Could Put 2026 Woes Behind With Strong Playoff Run

Cleveland Guardians star third baseman José Ramírez had a rough season in 2026. He had consistently been one of the best hitters in baseball, earning All-Star nods and contending for the AL MVP.

However, in 2026, his numbers dipped significantly, as he slashed .235/.320/.368 with 12 home runs, 27 doubles, 53 RBIs, 71 runs, 37 stolen bases, and a .688 OPS. The 34-year-old appeared in 125 games, but did not have the same season that the Guardians are accustomed to.

Despite a rough year, Cleveland made the playoffs with an 85-77 record, winning the AL Central and earning a bye. The Guardians will begin their postseason run in the ALDS, giving Ramírez the opportunity for a bounce-back moment.

If he plays at a high level in the playoffs, no one will remember that he struggled throughout the regular season and was a shell of the MVP candidate he once was.

In 45 games in his playoff career, Ramírez is slashing .240/.321/.371 with four home runs, 10 doubles, 19 RBIs, 17 runs, and a .692 OPS.

Ramírez has traditionally not been an elite player in the playoffs, as the stats indicate, but it's time for him to step up. He has a limited window if the Guardians are going to win a ring in his career while he is still in his prime.

Cleveland will take on the Chicago White Sox in the ALDS, a team they have a chance of defeating. The White Sox swept the Houston Astros, but their roster doesn't have much playoff experience.

It's a team the Guardians are very familiar with, as it's a division rival, which they overtook at the end of the season to win the division.

In the regular season, Cleveland had a 6-7 record against Chicago, making this an even matchup. The Guardians will need their lineup to step up in the postseason if they want to make a deep run. 

Cleveland did not have much power in the lineup throughout the season, with Ramírez's regression, as Angel Martinez led the team with 18 home runs.

The Guardians are known for playing small ball, focusing on contact, stolen bases, and advancing runners, but there will be moments when they need an extra-base hit, and a player like Ramírez will need to step up.

If Ramírez can elevate his game in the playoffs to the level he's played over the last few seasons, his legacy in 2026 won't be defined by how much he struggled in the regular season.