CLEVELAND, Ohio — The relationship between Guardians manager Terry Francona and Rays skipper Kevin Cash could take center stage if Cleveland and Tampa wind up meeting in the wild card round of Major League Baseball’s 2022 postseason.
Francona joked with reporters Monday that he won’t be asking Cash, one of his best friends in baseball, to give up any team secrets. But if a matchup against the Rays comes to fruition, it won’t be easy on a number of levels.
“He’s one of the most special people in my life,” Francona said. “And either they’re going to be happy or we are. That’s hard. There’s no getting around it.”
Since Cash took over as Tampa’s manager in 2015 he is 23-20 head-to-head against Francona. But facing off in the postseason would take the rivalry to another level.
“When it’s all said and done, whenever it ends, whether we play them or not, I’m really proud of him, and he knows that,” Francona said. “But it’s hard when you care that much about people and then you’re kind of fighting to beat their brains out.”
Welcome back, Klubot
Prior to Tuesday’s game, the Guardians welcomed Tampa Bay righty Corey Kluber back for his first start at Progressive Field since he was traded following the 2019 season.
A video played on the scoreboard showing some of the biggest moments of Kluber’s career in Cleveland, along with his stats and accomplishments. Those included two Cy Young Awards, three All-Star appearances and the third-most strikeouts in franchise history.
Kluber also pitched to a 2.81 ERA in three World Series games in 2016 and led the AL in wins twice, ERA once and complete games and shutouts three times.
Francona said just because a player changes uniforms does not mean a club loses its fondness for him. You don’t spend that much time with a guy and go through what Cleveland did without developing an affection for him. But the World Series run in 2016 is what really stands out.
“I just thought he typified the idea of giving more than he probably had,” Francona said. “I know it’s an impossibility. He pitched a lot and he was willing to try. It didn’t end the way we wanted to, but it took away none of the appreciation I had for those guys and what they tried to do.”
September to remember
The Guardians lead the AL in a number of offensive categories since play began on Sept. 5, including batting average (.276), triples (7), hits (tied, 207) and fewest strikeouts (127). They rank second in on-base percentage (.342) and are third in runs (112) and RBI (103) in that stretch.
Another impact rookie
Will Brennan’s ability to play multiple outfield positions and give Cleveland another contact-oriented bat has helped him fit in nicely since joining the club Sept. 21, Francona said.
Brennan started at designated hitter on Tuesday. In four games on Cleveland’s recent road trip, Brennan hit .267 with three RBI and a pair of steals.
“He’s had really good at-bats,” Francona said. “We called the kid up with two weeks to go in the season because all the reports were that he probably could help us, and I think he’s going to.”
Rotation shuffle
Francona shuffled his starting rotation at the start of the Tampa series to have Shane Bieber, Triston McKenzie and Cal Quantrill line up for the AL wild card series beginning Oct. 7.
Zach Plesac, sidelined with a hand fracture since Aug. 30, will pitch Friday in the series opener against the Royals.
But dark skies Tuesday threatened to foil Francona’s plans.
“This weather might need to cooperate a little bit,” Francona said. “If (Bieber) gets out there and pitches and stays on his regular turn, that helps.”
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