Sept. 24: Cleveland has officially reinstated Ramirez from the injured list, per a club announcement.
Sept. 23: The Indians are expected to activate infielder Jose Ramirez from the injured list on Tuesday, manager Terry Francona told reporters this weekend (link via Mandy Bell of MLB.com). He’s been out since Aug. 26 due to a fractured hamate hook in his right hand, but he’ll beat even the optimistic end of his initially projected recovery period (five to seven weeks).
A healthy Ramirez — or even a mostly healthy Ramirez — will be a notable jolt to an Indians lineup that has been utilizing Mike Freeman, Ryan Flaherty, Andrew Velazquez and Yu Chang in the infield with both Ramirez and Jason Kipnis sidelined. (Kipnis suffered a hamate fracture of his own last week and will undergo surgery tomorrow.) While Ramirez started the season in a dreadful slump, he heated up along with the weather and has turned in a sensational .313/.360/.643 with 16 home runs, 22 doubles and three triples in 253 plate appearances since seeing his OPS bottom out at .586 in mid-June. In fairness to Freeman, he’s certainly held his own at the dish (.269/.366/.391 in 192 plate appearances), but few can stack up against Ramirez when he’s at his best.
Ramirez has experience at second base, but Francona was clear about the fact that he’ll remain at third base once he returns. “When he comes back, we’ll have six games left,” Francona said. “We’re just going to leave him right at third. That’s a big ask. That’s another transition that we don’t need to do.”
With the Twins’ magic number down to three and six game remaining, the Indians are in a virtual Wild-Card-or-bust scenario. They’re two games behind the A’s for top Wild Card billing and currently in a tie (92-64) with the Rays for the second spot. The Indians will finish out the year with three games in Chicago against the White Sox and three in D.C. against the Nationals. The Rays, meanwhile, have one more game to host against the Red Sox, two to host against the Yankees and will finish the year with a three-game set in Toronto. Oakland has two road games against the Halos and four in Seattle. The Twins play three in Detroit followed by three in Kansas City.
So what happens if Cleveland and Tampa tie? Or if there’s a three-way tie with Oakland?
Omg bro… look it up
Look what up?
MLB.com has a write up that explains all scenarios.
If there’s a two-way tie, there would be a one-game playoff next Monday. Not sure about a three-way tie, though.
CLE @ TB to resolve a 2-way tie.
For a 3-way tie, the teams choose their own designations but the most likely outcome is TB @ OAK for first WC, loser @ CLE for second WC.
Are you talking about a threesome?
Seeing the A’s have the Mariners and Angels on their schedule this week, I doubt there’s a three way tie as both of those clubs have phoned it in. Tampa has one with Boston, 2 with the Yankees then 3 in Toronto, a team trying to hang onto that #5 draft, pick next June. The Jays will probably be without Bo Bichette the rest of the way. That leaves Cleveland, who has 6 road games. three with the White Sox, who sport a winning record against the Indians this year and three in Washington, a team trying to lock up home field in the NL wild card game. Cleveland’s situation is easily the toughest.
Cleveland and Tampa would play game 163. Since Tampa has taken the most wins head to head, Indians fly and play in Tampa. But, it’s Tampa. It could almost be a home game for the Tribe due to the fact that no one shows for Tampa and Indians have a pretty strong following in the Florida area.
Never underestimate the draw of a flag waving diehard, I mean fair weather fan that never shows up all season but is there for an important game acting like they’ve been along for the whole ride.
RIP Tampa and Oakland, that’s what happens.
Anyway, welcome back Josie! Team fell apart once you were out of the lineup, hopefully you pick them back up.
The Indians are 16-9 since Jose left. How is that “falling apart?”
16-10, but they were 3-7 his last 10 games where we played through pain.
“Team fell apart once you were out of the lineup.”
Just in time for the final stretch run of the wildcard race
Woohoo! Welcome back! The Angry Hamster with a Grand Slam in his first AB back.
And a 3-run jack from the opposite side of the plate his next time up. Nice to see you back.
Yes way, Jose! What a great first game back.
Tonight…..another nail in the coffin.
And tonight…….another.
Painful
Finally ran out of duct tape and crazy glue…
Good analogy
I must say, as an Indians fan, I’m actually glad to see this season mercifully come to an end. Maybe next year.