José Ramírez has big moment for Guardians with home run on pitch just above home plate

Cleveland's José Ramírez delivered a dramatic postseason performance, powering the Guardians to a 2-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox in Game 5 of the AL Division Series. The All-Star third baseman hit a crucial two-run homer in the fourth inning, clinching the win for his team. Ramírez, who had struggled throughout the regular season batting just .235, showed a surprising resurgence in the playoffs.

Despite missing 30 games in June and July due to a broken hamate bone in his left hand, Ramírez's bat began to show signs of life in the final two weeks of the regular season. During the postseason, he went 5 for 12 with two home runs and seven RBIs in the last three games, including the game-clinching homer. Manager Stephen Vogt praised Ramírez's ability to rise to the occasion, stating, "You don’t ever count him out.

You don’t ever worry about him. He’s going to show up when we need him." Ramírez's home run, hit on a pitch just 0.74 feet above the ground, was the lowest pitch to ever be hit for a postseason home run since Statcast tracking began in 2008. The power surge from Ramírez propelled Cleveland into its third AL Championship Series since 2016, where they will face the Tampa Bay Rays next week.