The Yankees are aware of the threat posed by Jose Ramirez and the Guardians

To much of the baseball viewing community, the Guardians are little more than an annoying obstacle for the Yankees to overcome en route to a highly anticipated World Series against the crosstown Mets or other Dodgers giants.

And while they are somewhat anonymous – especially without former manager Terry Francona to liven things up – they will pose challenges for the Yankees when the ALCS opens for Game 1 on Monday in the Bronx.

Perhaps the biggest is Jose Ramirez, who traditionally hits well against the Yankees but has struggled against them this season.

Aaron Boone is certainly aware of Ramirez's success.

“He’s the complete package,” Boone said before both teams practiced at the stadium on Sunday. “I approach people all the time. When I hear someone on a network or something saying, “How underrated, underrated he is,” I want to rip my arms off and throw it at the TV. He is not underestimated. He is not underestimated. He’s a great Hall of Fame player on the track and everyone knows that, including everyone sitting out here.”

Cleveland's first-year manager Stephen Vogt agreed.

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“If Jose leaves, there’s no one better,” Vogt said. “I think that’s the beauty of Jose. He's always just a hit away. There isn't a single look that isn't fixed on him when he's at the plate. It’s electric.”

Then there's Cleveland's bullpen, which was tested in the ALDS against the Tigers as the Guardians got little length out of their rotation in the series.

Emmanuel Clase leads a relief corps that is among the best in the game, and right-hander Cade Smith said they were up to the challenge in this series.

“That’s what we’re here for,” said Smith, who had a 1.91 ERA in 74 appearances this season. “We want to keep doing our thing. We have been put to the test several times and confirmed each time that we will do whatever is asked of us. This is exactly what we wanted.”

However, Vogt said the Guardians will need to get more out of their rotation in a best-of-seven series than they did in the ALDS, and that starts Monday with veteran Alex Cobb starting Game 1.

Among the non-anonymous players in Cleveland's lineup is Josh Naylor, who drew the ire of Yankee fans after he taunted the Yankees and Gerrit Cole after a home run in Game 4 of the 2022 ALDS by throwing a rock-the-baby during it -Motion executed rounded the bases.

Cole said Sunday he wasn't concerned about Naylor's actions, noting they have since competed against each other, but the audience might feel differently.

Of the Guardians' trip to the Bronx in August, Vogt said, “The reception a few months ago was pretty good. “So I’m sure it will be the same.”

And Vogt dismissed the notion that the Yankees were heavy favorites heading into the Series.

“We are worried about ourselves,” said Vogt. “We took that into account in every series all year long. We can control what we can and we know the Yankees are good. They played us hard. This is a really good team that we will be playing against. But we trust who we are, and the only thing we can control is ourselves.”