Explaining The Rationale Behind Jose Ramirez's New Role With The Guardians

The Cleveland Guardians will start to have Jose Ramirez bat second behind Steven Kwan and in front of Andres Gimenez.

Many fans were shocked on Tuesday afternoon when the Cleveland Guardians released their lineup card ahead of game one with the Cincinnati Reds. Terry Francona had placed Jose Ramirez in the two-hole sandwiched between Steven Kwan in the lead-off and Andres Gimenez.

This is new territory for Jose. He's been Cleveland's three-hole hitter for all of 2023, 2022, and every game outside of one in 2021. The last time Ramirez found himself hitting second was in 2020 when Francisco Lindor was batting third.

The team has been looking for someone to fill in batting second since they traded away Amed Rosario a week before the deadline. Gimenez and Brayan Rocchio each got time there, but something still felt off.

Tito has been vocal about not loving the idea of Kwan and Gimenez, two lefties, hitting back-to-back in the lineup because opposing teams could take advantage of this with their bullpen.

Thus, the idea to have Jose, a switch hitter, was put into action. Francona explained in more detail why they decided to move Ramirez up a spot and what effect it could have:

"I know (Ramirez) likes hitting third, he always has, but I talked to him. We're trying so hard to make teams pitch to him because if they do, he's such a good hitter. And with (Gimenez) heating up a little bit we can spread him and Kwan out. I just think that with Kwan on first, I just think there's a chance that he'll get pitched to a little bit more."

Protecting Jose from opposing pitchers is crucial for this Guardians offense to be its best version. He's once again one of the league leaders in intentional walks. The rationale for hitting Ramirez second certainly makes sense and Gimenez may find a home batting third as a byproduct of this move.

Maybe this won't end up working out the way Tito and the coaching staff envision it, but we can't blame them for trying. 

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