Future Hall of Famer Jose Ramirez is absolutely struggling, and that nightmare stretch has the Cleveland Guardians teetering on the edge of the AL Wild Card hunt. As of August 25th, they’re only 0.5 games up on the Houston Astros for the third and final spot. Cleveland desperately needs to get scorching hot, but with their star third baseman looking nothing like his usual self, they’re facing an uncomfortable question that could sink their entire season.
Josey’s Post-Injury Nightmare Is Real
Dude’s usually an absolute monster, a legitimate future Hall of Famer, right? But ever since Ramirez landed on the injured list in mid-June with a hamate fracture and finally returned to play on July 22, he’s looked absolutely nothing like his usual self. Seriously, it’s been a shocking transformation. In the 26 games and 93 at-bats since he got back on the field, Josey has put up a brutal .226 batting average. He’s only managed 21 hits, just two measly doubles, and get this: ZERO home runs or triples. It’s wild! He’s only knocked in six RBIs, too. That .568 OPS since his return? It’s not just bad, it’s a full-on nightmare, especially when you remember his career OPS is a massive .848. Even with this terrible stretch, his season OPS is at .708, which just shows how much heavy lifting he was doing *before* the injury. This .568 OPS isn’t just a slump, it’s flat out worrying for a guy who’s been a stalwart for years.
Guardians’ Playoff Hopes Hang By A Thread
And this isn’t just about one guy’s individual stats, this is hitting the whole squad where it hurts. Since Ramirez returned to the lineup, the Guardians have managed a sub-.500 record of 11-15. That’s exactly the kind of slide you *don’t* want when you’re fighting tooth and nail for a Wild Card spot, literally just 0.5 games up on the Astros. Tim Britton from The Athletic summed it up perfectly, asking the question every fan in Cleveland has to be thinking, probably screaming at their TV: “When will the real Jose Ramirez show up?” Their rotation has been resurgent, Steven Kwan is back in form, but their supposed superstar is completely missing in action. If he can’t get back to his normal, dominant production soon, then the Guardians are gonna have a super tough time making the postseason. This guy, who’s been their absolute rock and the heart of their lineup for years, could actually be the reason they miss out on the dance. Wild, right? Talk about an uncomfortable question!
So, as the calendar starts to flip to September, the stakes couldn’t be higher for Cleveland. They desperately need to get red hot to create any breathing room in that razor-thin AL Wild Card hunt. All eyes are on Jose Ramirez. Can he flip the switch and ignite this team when it matters most? Because if that brutal .568 OPS sticks around, things are gonna get real ugly, real fast for the Guardians. Speaking of guys who have hit a wall, our own Cal Raleigh is reportedly on track to hit the fewest home runs after a 60+ homer season in MLB history. It just goes to show, even the absolute best players can struggle, but you gotta find a way to break through before the season slips away.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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