Could we be watching a Fall Classic preview? Guardians takeaways (2024)

MILWAUKEE -- It wouldn’t make the baseball world stand up and take notice. TV network executives would be wringing their hands.

But let’s say, just for kicks, the Guardians and Brewers meet in the World Series in October. Yes, the Yankees, Dodgers, Phillies, Braves, Padres, Astros and a few other teams might have something to say about it, but here’s a couple of things you can’t deny.

The Guardians are first place in the AL Central. They entered Friday night’s game against the Brewers with the best record in the big leagues at 72-49.

The Brewers entered Friday’s series in first place in the NL Central with a 69-52 record. While the Guardians held a four-game lead over the Royals, the Brewers had a nine-game lead over the Reds and Cardinals.

Manager Stephen Vogt, who played for the Brewers in 2017 and 2018, says the Guardians pride themselves on playing the best competition. So this series has his attention.

“I’m excited,” said Vogt. “We pride ourselves on a lot of things they’re good at. We pride ourselves on the things we’re really good at. They get a lot of ground ball hits and steal a lot of bases. We play really good infield defense and control the running game well.

“We’ve got our work cut out for us. They’re run-and-gun. They bunt. They do a lot of little things right. It’s going to be a tough series.”

Offensively, the two teams are built along the same lines.

• In the National League, the Brewers rank ninth in homers (131), fourth in runs (585), fourth in batting average (.255), third in stolen bases (155) and sixth in OPS (.737).
• In the American League, the Guardians rank seventh in homers (139), sixth in runs (577), seventh in batting average (.244), third in stolen bases (107) and seventh in OPS (.710).

It’s the same story from a pitching standpoint.

• In the NL, the Brewers are tied for first in ERA (3.72), the rotation ranks eighth (26-32, 4.18) and the bullpen ranks first (43-20, 3.23 with 38 saves).
• In the AL, the Guardians rank second in ERA (3.46), 12th in the rotation (39-39, 4.52) and first in the bullpen (33-10, 2.72 with 42 saves).

That could make for an exciting series no matter what time of year.

Well placed

Will Brennan was back in the No. 2 spot Friday night between Steven Kwan and Jose Ramirez to face former Guardian Aaron Civale.

In Wednesday’s 6-1 win over the Cubs, Brennan tripled home Kwan in the fifth inning for a 3-1 lead. Since he was recalled from Class AAA Columbus on Aug. 9, Brennan is hitting .381 (8 for 21).

Brennan has made five starts in the No. 2 spot since rejoining the Guardians.

“When Will went on the injured list (June 25) he was right in the middle of a hot streak,” said Vogt. “We rushed him back and he never got a chance to find his groove because of the injury. When we needed to make a spot on the roster, he was the one guy we could send down.”

Brennan was sent down with a message.

“We said, ‘If we send him down for a while, he can get some consistent at-bats and get rolling,’” said Vogt. “That’s exactly what he did. He took it as a challenge and an opportunity.”

Brennan hit .371 for the Clippers before being recalled.

Tight fit

Vogt does a juggling act every night with his lineup because he believes in playing all of his position players.

It is a particularly tricky situation in right field and center field with Brennan, Jhonkensy Noel and Lane Thomas. It helps that Brennan and Thomas can play both positions, while Noel is basically a right fielder.

At the moment, Brennan is swinging a hot bat, Noel showed big-time power against the Cubs, hitting three homers in two games earlier this week. Thomas, meanwhile, has been in a funk since the Guardians acquired him at the deadline.

“We play everybody,” said Vogt. “Everybody is going to get their games. That’s why we have a hitting team. That’s why we have all these smart people in the room to help me make decisions.

“We have a lot of good players to chose from. Unfortunately, that means there are four players every night who don’t get to start.”

Finally

Andres Gimenez’s 18 defensive runs saved are the most by any player at a single position this season ... The Guardians lead the big leagues with 34 come-from-behind wins. The Brewers and Kansas City are right behind with 33.

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