Jose Ramirez has picked the perfect time to catch fire at the plate.
After struggling through an injury-plagued regular season, the Guardians superstar has been red-hot this postseason, batting .333 with a .667 slugging percentage.
He’s cleared 1.5 total bases in four of his last five games, which includes two home runs, a triple, a double and a three-hit performance in Cleveland’s ALCS Game 1 victory over the Rays as he enjoys one of his best stretches of 2026.
And there’s reason to believe his hot streak will continue Thursday when the series shifts to Cleveland for Game 3 with the series tied 1-1.
Tampa Bay will send Griffin Jax to the mound, a familiar opponent for Ramirez from the right-hander’s years with the Twins.
Ramirez has enjoyed some success against Jax, batting .294 with five hits in 17 career at-bats against him.
The Rays’ tough bullpen hasn’t been a problem for Ramirez so far in this series, either.
Ramirez has singles off of relievers Cole Sulser and Tyler Wells, in addition to a knock of off Tampa Bay ace Drew Rasmussen.
Jax has pitched well lately, but Ramirez is swinging the bat as well as he has all season and has been the Guardians’ most dangerous offensive weapon throughout its playoff run.
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A couple of singles or one big swing of the bat will get the job done here.
The play: Jose Ramirez over 1.5 total bases (+140, bet365 Sportsbook)
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Dylan Svoboda is a versatile writer and analyst across many sports. He’s particularly knowledgeable about the big three — MLB, the NFL and the NBA.
