The Cleveland Guardians appeared to be running out of answers. Two losses against the Chicago White Sox had pushed Cleveland to the brink of elimination in the American League Division Series. The Guardians needed someone to change the direction of their postseason.
Jose Ramirez decided to take that responsibility.
Cleveland defeated Chicago 9-5 on Thursday night, forcing a decisive Game 5 after trailing the series 2-0. And for the second consecutive evening, Ramirez played a starring role. The veteran third baseman homered and drove in three runs Thursday, continuing a remarkable turnaround at the most important moment of the season.
Ramirez delivers another enormous postseason moment
The Guardians trailed 2-1 entering the fifth inning when Ramirez faced Chicago reliever Jordan Hicks. Ramirez connected on a 99.9 mph fastball and sent it into the right-field seats for a two-run home run. The blast gave Cleveland a 3-2 lead and briefly silenced the crowd at Rate Field. It was an especially impressive swing considering the velocity of the pitch.
JOSÉ RAMÍREZ! GUARDIANS JUMP IN FRONT! https://t.co/setZbLqz5I
— MLB (@MLB) October 9, 2026
According to MLB.com, the 99.9 mph fastball was the fastest pitch Ramirez had ever homered against. It also tied the fastest pitch hit for a postseason home run by a Cleveland player during the pitch-tracking era. The home run was only part of Cleveland’s offensive response. After Chicago regained the lead, the Guardians erupted for six runs in the sixth inning. Jo Adell delivered a two-run single during the rally, helping Cleveland take control. Patrick Bailey also homered in the victory.
MORE: Guardians make MLB postseason history while denying White Sox series clincher
Cleveland’s season comes down to one game
The turnaround has been remarkable. Chicago won the first two games of the series in Cleveland, putting the Guardians in a position where one more defeat would end their season.
Instead, Cleveland won consecutive road games by scores of 9-3 and 9-5.
Ramirez has been central to that reversal. His recent performances have been particularly encouraging after a season complicated by wrist surgery and offensive inconsistency. Now the Guardians return home with momentum and an opportunity to complete the comeback.
Game 5 is scheduled for Saturday at 8 p.m. ET in Cleveland. The winner advances to face the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Championship Series.
Cleveland still has plenty of work remaining. But the Guardians have already accomplished something significant. They turned a seemingly hopeless series into a winner-take-all showdown.
And Ramirez has reminded everyone why he’s one of baseball’s most dangerous October performers.
