The Cleveland Guardians are getting set to kick off the second game of a three-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Cleveland was able to take the first game of this matchup , giving them some cushion in the playoff standings. But this series with Toronto is massive for both teams, with each side fighting for their postseason lives.
The Guardians come into this game with a record of 70-68 on the season, sitting in second place within the American League Central. Cleveland is only three games back of the first-place Chicago White Sox, leaving them in striking distance for the division.
But for now, the team is battling for a wild-card spot in the AL. Cleveland is 1.5 games up on the Blue Jays heading into this second game, making it all that much more crucial.
If the Guardians could take the series, it would push them closer to securing a spot. Even with there being a few weeks left in the regular season, every game matters right now, especially against a team right behind them.
So, entering the second contest, the Guardians have released the lineup. Within it, slugger Jose Ramírez will be hitting third, while also playing third base.
Ramírez has long been the main star on this Guardians roster, and the team is going to need him to step up down the stretch. The slugger has seen some issues at the plate this season, but he's provne himself time and time again for this club.
On the year, Ramírez has hit .244 with 11 home runs and 48 RBIs, while posting an OPS of .729. His struggles at the plate have been a little eye-opening, especially since Ramírez has normally been one of the better hitters in baseball.
Barring a massive late-season surge, Ramírez's streak of hitting at least 24 home runs in a season will end at five. However, the team has been able to stay the course even with his offensive issues due to the production of some younger guys.
But if the Guardians want to get to the playoffs, and possibly do some damage, Ramírez will need to get his bat going.
The Guardians are in a good spot right now as the regular season winds down, but the job isn't finished. This series with Toronto should show a lot about this group, and it could impact how the standings look a few weeks from now.
