#Ramirez, Lindor want to right struggles

Jose Ramirez could soon be named the AL MVP. At some point, he’s due to play like one in the postseason, too.

Entering the wild-card series against the Yankees in Cleveland, Ramirez is baseball’s hottest hitter. Over the past 12 games, he is batting .442 with 18 RBIs. His past 11 hits have been home runs (four) or doubles (seven). Ramirez finished the shortened-season hitting .292 with 17 homers, 46 RBIs and a .993 OPS.

However, the third baseman has been atrocious in 23 career playoff games, batting .195 with one home run and a .500 OPS. In the 2017 ALDS loss to the Yankees, the two-time All-Star went 2-for-20 with seven strikeouts.

This time, the Indians can’t envision the momentum of the past two weeks evaporating in the three-game series.

“He just got hot at the right moment,” catcher Roberto Perez said. “He’s the best. He’s a guy that when we needed him the most, he was there for us. I’ve been playing for more than five years with him and it seems like every year he gets better. … The way he carries himself, he’s special. He’s a warrior. He doesn’t care who is on the mound.”

Francisco Lindor is eager for the chance to rewrite his playoff legacy against the Yankees, too.

Though Lindor has fared far better than Ramirez in 23 postseason games — hitting .276 with five homers, 12 RBIs and an .820 OPS — the Indians shortstop went 2-for-18 with six strikeouts in the 2017 ALDS upset.

“Past is in the past, brother,” Lindor said Monday. “Turn the page. Onto the next chapter.”

Lindor, 26, has less reason for optimism, though. Following four All-Star seasons, Lindor produced an underwhelming 60-game run, batting .258 with eight homers and a .750 OPS.

“There were a lot of times I didn’t give quality at-bats,” Lindor said. “It’s on me to be at my highest level from now on.”

It will be necessary.

This year, the Indians ranked 23rd in the majors in batting average (.228), tied for 27th in home runs, 24th in runs scored, 19th in on-base percentage (.317), 27th in OPS (.689) and 26th in total bases.

Lindor believes that’s irrelevant. Regular-season success doesn’t always correlate with postseason performances.

“Enjoy the ride, boys,” Lindor said of his advice for younger teammates. “They’re trying to be famous, this is the time to do it. This is the time to be famous.”

Or infamous.