• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Cleveland Daily

Cleveland Sports News, Rumors & Highlights

  • Home
  • Guardians News
  • Cavs News
  • Browns News
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
  • About

A Closer Look At José Ramirez’s Recent Struggles

By Spencer Richardson July 5, 2022

José Ramírez #11 of the Cleveland Guardians hits a double during the sixth inning of game one of a doubleheader against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field on June 28, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

 

José Ramirez’s return to the Guardians‘ lineup on Monday was an excellent chance for him to refind his form.

Cleveland squared off against the Detroit Tigers, who are 8.5 games behind the Guardians for second in the AL Central.

But Cleveland limped through nine innings, dropping the first game of Monday’s doubleheader 4-1.

Not to be outdone, the club dropped the second game in an Independence Day doubleheader 5-3.

But forget the 9-4 combined scoreline.

Forget the only eight hits Cleveland managed between the two games (against 20 hits across both games by Detroit).

It’s officially time to mash the panic button on José Ramirez.

 

Slump?

Ramirez was a no-show against the Tigers on Monday, despite sitting out of Cleveland’s Sunday win against the Yankees.

But no-shows have been Ramirez’s story of late.

Unfortunately, Cleveland’s success rises and falls with Ramirez.

For instance, since June 23rd, Cleveland is 3-10.

Over that same stretch, Ramirez is batting just .225, with 11 strikeouts across 49 at-bats.

In the 13 games prior to this rough stretch (June 7-22), Cleveland went 10-3.

And Ramirez was an unstoppable hitter, batting .340 with just five strikeouts across 53 at-bats.

In fact, Ramirez was only blanked at the plate twice during that June 7-22 span; by contrast, Ramirez only has a hit in four games over his last 13 games.

But the biggest tell is in RBIs.

Cleveland’s offensive philosophy is based on hitting for contact.

The Cleveland Guardians now have 3 wins this season when trailing by 3+ runs in the 9th inning or later.

The rest of MLB has 5 wins combined in that spot (no other team has more than 1).

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 30, 2022

That means racking up as many hits as possible, getting batters on the base, and then using that constant supply of hits to drive in runs.

And Cleveland’s best supply of runs, until recently, was Ramirez.

Not only was he Cleveland’s best, but he was professional baseball’s best supplier of runs, as well.

Through June 22, Ramirez was cruising to the tune of 62 RBIs, either keeping pace with or setting the bar across the majors.

Since then?

Ramirez has just one RBI in his last 13 games.

And Cleveland’s run production has stagnated at the same time; between June 7 and June 22, Cleveland scored more than four runs seven in seven games.

Over the club’s most recent 13-game stretch, Cleveland’s accomplished that feat just twice.

Four is a bit of a magic number for Cleveland: when the Guardians score more than five runs, the club is 27-3 (.900).

When Cleveland scores four runs or fewer, the club is 13-35 (.270).

Is Ramirez in a slump, along with the rest of the team?

It’s possible.

The Guardians haven’t gotten much production from anyone of late except for Andrés Giménez, Eli Morgan, and Emmanuel Clase.

And when Ramirez doesn’t hit the ball, the club doesn’t win.

 

Injury?

But perhaps something bigger is afoot than merely a “slump.”

Ramirez isn’t a player prone to slumping; this season, he’s been dominant.

Even during Cleveland’s earlier slump from May 10 through May 29, Ramirez still managed to bat .278 and drive in 18 runs in just 14 games.

No, something else is going on here: injury.

Look, it’s midseason and every player is dealing with some level of pain, be it soreness or something more.

Goodnight, friends. Even if we come back to win it, it’s just time to say goodnight. #Fortheland

— 216 Baseball Podcast (@216BaseballPod) July 5, 2022

But Ramirez’s play suggests he’s something more than “sore.”

Remember when Ramirez jammed up his thumb against the Rockies in mid-June?

The injury forced Ramirez out of action for part of Cleveland’s next series against the Dodgers.

Prior to the Dodgers series, Ramirez slashed .305/.397/.642.

In the 16 games since, Ramirez has taken 62 at-bats, but managed just one RBI and is batting .226.

Ramirez is a completely different player since that thumb jam.

It’s admirable that Ramirez is trying to play through the injury.

But so far, the club isn’t winning even with him in the lineup, and that thumb is likely only getting worse.

Perhaps Ramirez should take some time to heal, getting himself right for Cleveland’s playoff push at the end of the season.

The pressure is on to win, but winning starts (and ends) with a healthy Ramirez.

    Get ALL the latest Cleveland sports news straight to your inbox! Subscribe to the Cleveland daily newsletter here!    

Filed Under: Cleveland Guardians Rumors And News (Updated Daily) Tagged With: cleveland guardians

Reader Interactions

Follow Cleveland Daily!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More Cleveland Guardians News

Military aircraft fly over Progressive Field during the national anthem prior to the home opener of the Cleveland Guardians against the San Francisco Giants on April 15, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The Giants defeated the Guardians 4-1.

Top Guardians Prospect Falls In Latest Rankings

7 months ago

Andres Gimenez #0 of the Cleveland Guardians (center) is congratulated by teammates after he hit a grand slam home run against the Oakland Athletics in the top of the third inning at RingCentral Coliseum on April 29, 2022 in Oakland, California

What To Watch For As The Guardians Face Tough Schedule Stretch

7 months ago

baseball on field

Does The MLB Owe The Guardians An Apology?

8 months ago

Manager Terry Francona #77 of the Cleveland Guardians watches from the dugout during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Progressive Field on May 19, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Guardians Rated Highly In Latest Power Rankings By MLB Insiders

8 months ago

Emmanuel Clase #48 and Josh Naylor #22 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrate after the final out of their MLB game victory over the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on August 14, 2022 in Toronto, Canada.

What’s Behind The Guardians’ Recent Winning Streak?

8 months ago

Andres Gimenez #0 of the Cleveland Guardians (center) is congratulated by teammates after he hit a grand slam home run against the Oakland Athletics in the top of the third inning at RingCentral Coliseum on April 29, 2022 in Oakland, California

Report: Guardians Unlikely To Be Big Spenders This Winter

8 months ago

Austin Hedges #17 celebrates with teammate Steven Kwan #38 of the Cleveland Guardians after beating the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on July 27, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts.

3 Surprising Guardians Stats With 50 Games Left

8 months ago

Luke Maile #12 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off sacrifice fly to defeat the Oakland Athletics at Progressive Field on June 10, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Guardians defeated the Athletics 3-2.

MLB Insider "Sells" Deep Guardians Playoff Run

8 months ago

Military aircraft fly over Progressive Field during the national anthem prior to the home opener of the Cleveland Guardians against the San Francisco Giants on April 15, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The Giants defeated the Guardians 4-1.

Fans React To Guardians Moving To First In The Division

8 months ago

Franmil Reyes #32 of the Cleveland Guardians singles off Lucas Giolito of the Chicago White Sox in the seventh inning at Progressive Field on July 13, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The White Sox defeated the Guardians 2-1.

What's Next After Franmil Reyes DFA?

8 months ago

Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Guardians pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at Progressive Field on August 03, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Could Shane Bieber Be On The Move This Winter?

8 months ago

Outfielders Alex Call #65 Myles Straw #7 and Nolan Jones #33 of the Cleveland Guardians run in after the Guardians defeated the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field on July 16, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Guardians defeated the Tigers 10-0.

Solving The Guardians' Logjam At Right Field

8 months ago

baseball on field

Report: Guardians Pursuit Of Deadline Target Fell Apart Over Prospects

8 months ago

Military aircraft fly over Progressive Field during the national anthem prior to the home opener of the Cleveland Guardians against the San Francisco Giants on April 15, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The Giants defeated the Guardians 4-1.

What Is The Guardians Outlook After A Quiet Trade Deadline?

8 months ago

Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals looks on during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 06, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Is Daniel Espino Too High A Price For Juan Soto?

8 months ago

Alex Call #65 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates with teammates after scoring in the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on July 31, 2022 in St Petersburg, Florida.

Fans React To Guardians Win Versus Rays

8 months ago

Josh Naylor #22 of the Cleveland Guardians flips his bat after hitting a RBI single in the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox during game one of a doubleheader at Guaranteed Rate Field on July 23, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois.

How Josh Naylor’s Injury Affects Guardians’ Trade Deadline Plans

8 months ago

Sean Murphy #12 of the Oakland Athletics bats against the Houston Astros at RingCentral Coliseum on July 10, 2022 in Oakland, California.

Report: Oakland's Sean Murphy A Guardians "Top Target"

8 months ago

Austin Hedges #17 celebrates with teammate Steven Kwan #38 of the Cleveland Guardians after beating the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on July 27, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts.

What To Watch For In Guardians Series Versus Rays

8 months ago

Starting pitcher Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Guardians throws against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning at Coors Field on June 14, 2022 in Denver, Colorado.

What Is Shane Bieber's Value?

8 months ago

Pitcher Logan Allen #54 of the Cleveland Indians throws in the bullpen during summer workouts at Progressive Field on July 06, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio.

2 Bullpen Targets For Guardians At Trade Deadline

8 months ago

Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs smiles during the 92nd MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Dodger Stadium on July 19, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.

Guardians Among "Most Likely" Trade Destinations For Cubs' Contreras

8 months ago

Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Guardians pitches against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on July 06, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan.

What Is Shane Bieber's Future In Cleveland?

8 months ago

Tim Anderson #7 of the Chicago White Sox slides home to score in the fifth inning against Luke Maile #12 of the Cleveland Guardians during game two of a double header at Guaranteed Rate Field on July 23, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois.

Fans React To Guardians Doubleheader Versus White Sox

8 months ago

Primary Sidebar

Search Cleveland Daily

Follow Cleveland Daily!

Footer

Privacy Policy

Terms And Conditions

Contact Us

Copyright © 2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - ClevelandDaily.com is not affiliated with the Cleveland Indians or Major League Baseball.