The Cleveland Guardians are facing their biggest test of the season so far: the AL-leading New York Yankees.
Their series was supposed to start on Friday, but the opener was rained out and they are already playing, at the moment of writing this piece, a doubleheader on Saturday.
Carlos Carrasco and Clarke Schmidt, the Guardians and Yankees starters respectively, have been trading zeroes for the first five innings.
The Yankees did manage to score a run in the second frame, but Carrasco otherwise managed to escape trouble with a few timely double plays.
His defense did much more than field some grounders, though.
In the fifth inning, the red-hot Anthony Volpe opened the frame with a screaming line drive that left his bat at 102.9 mph.
Fortunately for the Guardians, Will Brennan was there to catch it in one of the most impressive defensive plays of the weekend.
Here is the video, courtesy o Catch Probability.
Anthony Volpe lines out sharply to right fielder Will Brennan.
Catch probability: 28%
Est. Distance Covered: 60.5 ft
Exit Velo: 102.9 mph
Launch Angle: 16 deg
Hit Distance: 305 ft#RepBX #ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/leUVRmrLc5— Catch Probability (@CatchProb) April 13, 2024
Speaking of catch probability, it was just 28 percent.
You can say what you want about Brennan’s offensive numbers to this point, but there is no question he has range in the outfield and can make plays that most other outfielders can’t.
Had the ball landed, it would have probably went for a double and, depending on how the Guardians outfielders played it, a triple given Volpe’s blazing speed.
But Brennan made sure that didn’t happen.
He will need to start hitting to keep his place in the Guardians’ lineup and future plans, though, as a .222/.293/.222 line just won’t cut it.
For now, let’s just admire the brilliant play he just made in a tight, close game.
NEXT: Guardians Remain Part Of Elite Group So Far In 2024
