As the Milwaukee Brewers put on a clinic against the determined Tampa Bay Rays to win the 2026 World Series, school should have been in session for the Miami Marlins. Hopefully, they brought their number 2 pencils, Trapper Keepers, and metal lunchboxes.

As the Fish were home contemplating a somewhat lost season at 80-82, they were hopefully taking notes on the two teams' strategy. Two masterclass programs conducted by Tampa and Milwaukee were like a visual aid, revealing the art of staying consistently competitive in Major League Baseball without breaking the bank.

The good news? This school of Fish is already full of fast learners.

Miami enters 2027 with most of its offensive core returning, and with a fresh wave of young talent either on the way or already finding its footing in the big leagues. So, the club's ceiling is undeniably high, but they need to rethink how they play the game.

The Marlins wrapped up 2026 middle-of-the-pack with a .400 slugging percentage (16th in MLB), which is nowhere near elite. The glaring issue was their long ball total: just 168 home runs, ranking 23rd overall.

Those aren't great slugging numbers, but on the flip side of things, the Marlins have mastered another part of the hardball curriculum. They finished fourth in MLB in stolen bases, and there's potential for more, with a speedy group of youngsters who are remaking the calling card of the organization.

It's an old baseball adage: You can win without hitting a home run, but you can't win if you can't play solid defense and run the bases. Without many straight-A sluggers, the Marlins will have to rely on those who might not necessarily make the honor roll when it comes to a power role.

However, Miami should get a detention for the performance of their relievers, who weren't exactly at the head of the class. The bullpen posted a 4.10 ERA in 2026 (19th in MLB), largely derailed by injuries to Pete Fairbanks and ongoing late-game horseplay.

Defense is an issue and should be part of Clayton McCullough's offseason home work assignments. The Fish tied for 28th in MLB with a .982 fielding percentage. Despite bright spots like Gold Glove finalist Javier Sanoja and rookie Joe Mack, this aspect needs some extra tutoring.

The Brewers continually prove that speed, defense, and lights-out relief don't require a massive payroll. Great scouting, player development, and smart transactions have allowed them to find hidden gems to transform into elite weapons.

Watching what unfolded in the postseason and the Fall Classic, with two teams being both excellent and economical, is both effective and efficient. That is, if you can pull it off, the best bet is that this will become the new fashionable fad on the playground.

So, as more teams adapt to this strategy because they choose to, the Marlins don't have much choice. They have seen the presentation of how to become a World Series contender, now fans around South Florida can only hope they're ready to be tested in 2026.

The Marlins don't need to become valedictorians overnight, but they do need to take thorough notes. And Peter Bendix and the front office must be right there, raising their hands, proudly volunteering to show the class what they know.

That starts on the field. Tampa Bay and Milwaukee have provided the blueprint. Miami possesses the raw talent to follow suit. Now, it's time for the Fish to hit the books, apply the lessons, and make 2027 the year they graduate to the postseason.