Guardians: The fishing boat captain’s chair that provided former Guardians manager Terry Francona a comfortable vantage point during games the past few years was removed from the home dugout steps before the season. It’s gone, just like the beloved Francona, aka “Tito” to everyone in baseball. That padded seat — along with his famous scooter, indomitable spirit while battling major health issues and seasons that often extended into October — symbolized Francona’s successful 11-year run with the club. It was going to take someone special to replace him. Stephen Vogt’s off to quite a start. “I feel like he just picked up where Tito left off,” Guardians catcher Austin Hedges said. Only two years removed from playing, the 39-year-old journeyman-turned-All-Star catcher has guided the Guardians to the top of the AL Central. What began as a surprise has morphed into something more: Guardians look like a legitimate championship contender under Vogt, who had never managed a game — at any level — before being hired. MLB’s top four records currently belong to the Yankees, Orioles, Phillies, and the Guardians, who are 20 games over .500 heading into a weekend series with the Blue Jays. No one expected this. One of baseball’s youngest teams has done it playing with an aggressive, throwback style that reflects their manager. The Guardians scrap. The Guardians don’t rely on power but placement — put the ball in play and run the bases with abandon — “hard 90s,” they call it. The starting pitching remains a major question, but Vogt, who was the Mariners’ bullpen coach last season, has been adept at knowing when to turn to his relievers. Of course it helps that he can hand the ball in the ninth to hard-throwing closer Emmanuel Clase, who has 20 saves and a 0.84 ERA. It hasn’t been flawless. Vogt has made mistakes, and he’s still far from mastering the daily juggling act of multiple meetings, media obligations and more. He admits sound sleep is often elusive. But he has settled in. “The game’s the best part,” he said. “It’s where you get to watch your guys go play. But I’m feeling more and more comfortable. I’ve gotten sped up a number of times and I’ve learned from them.”

Cubs: Cubs starter Jordan Wicks left Friday’s game against the Cardinals because of discomfort in his right oblique. Wicks exited in the second. He walked off the field accompanied by a trainer after giving up a two-out single to Dylan Carlson. Wicks gave up two hits and struck out two in his first start and second appearance since returning from a strained forearm. He was sidelined for six weeks.

Cardinals: Kyle Gibson pitched two-hit ball over seven innings, Pedro Pagés broke a scoreless tie when he led off the eighth with his first career homer and the Cardinals beat the Cubs 3-0 on Friday. Pagés, who had just three hits in 28 major league at-bats, gave the Cards the lead with a drive to the left-field basket against reliever Hayden Wesneski (2-4).