Jose Ramirez and 2 others who will define Guardians' playoff fate
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The Cleveland Guardians are currently competing for a spot in the 2026 MLB postseason. Cleveland holds the third and final American League Wild Card spot as of this story’s writing, but the ball club also narrowly trails the Chicago White Sox for the division lead in the AL Central. In all reality, Cleveland will need a complete team effort to reach the postseason and make a deep run once in the playoffs. However, there are three specific players who may ultimately define how much success the Guardians find during the upcoming weeks.
Jose Ramirez, 3B
Ramirez has endured a difficult overall season. He’s missed time due to injury and has struggled while on the field. While the lingering impact of his injury may be affecting his performance, Ramirez still expects more from himself at the plate.
Fans are likely not too upset with Ramirez’s play, though, as he has carried the team for years. Ramirez also took far less money than he could have commanded in free agency to stay in Cleveland. Being mad at a franchise superstar who chose Cleveland over big markets just doesn’t make sense.
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With that being said, fans are hopeful that Ramirez can figure things out soon. The same can be said for the Guardians. Cleveland’s offense has legitimate uncertainty, but Ramirez can give the ball club a crucial boost by getting back on track. He is an MVP candidate when he’s on top of his game.
Steve Kwan, OF
Kwan looked like a bottom of the lineup hitter at best to begin the 2026 season. He was stuck in a concerning slump and it seemed as if he was either declining or simply in a long-term slump. Kwan turned things around in convincing fashion during the second half of the year, and now the two-time All-Star looks like himself once again.
Kwan is hitting .274/.372/.335 as of this story’s writing. He’s never been much of a power hitter, but Kwan is recording base hits and getting on base while playing quality outfield defense. The Cleveland leadoff hitter can consistently set the table and give the power hitters behind him opportunities to drive in runs by consistently getting on base down the stretch.
It is worth mentioning that the bright lights of October have not been an issue for Kwan in the past. He’s hitting .321/.380/.405 across 20 career postseason games.
Tanner Bibee, SP
Including Bibee in this story may be a surprise. Let me explain why the 27-year-old pitcher could realistically make or break the Guardians’ starting rotation in the postseason.
Parker Messick is a strong AL Rookie of the Year candidate and he could even receive some AL Cy Young votes. Gavin Williams may also find himself in the Cy Young conversation. Foster Griffin has been a respectable trade deadline addition. It is looking like Joey Cantillo will pitch out of the bullpen should the Guardians reach the postseason.
That leaves Bibee. He has been inconsistent and rather unlucky so far this year. Bibee’s 4.22 ERA is far from ideal, but that ERA probably isn’t deserving of a league-worst 15 defeats. Bibee’s 5-15 record is difficult to ignore even in an era where wins and losses don’t mean what they once did. Cleveland’s lineup doesn’t often score many runs when Bibee is on the mound.
Bibee can’t think too much about the record, though. The Guardians need a reliable postseason pitching rotation, and Bibee is probably going to be the fourth starter. If he performs well, Cleveland would instantly have one of the best rotations in the playoffs. If he struggles, the Guards’ rotation won’t be especially deep.
Messick and Williams are the Guardians’ best starters, but Bibee is the X-factor.
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