Guardians Clinch AL Central Title and First Round Playoff Bye

Division Title Secured

The Cleveland Guardians are division champions once again. Cleveland secured its third consecutive AL Central title on Saturday night with an 11-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals. The win, combined with a 9-6 loss for Chicago against Colorado, gives the Guardians a two game lead in the division with just one regular season game remaining on Sunday.

With this victory, Jose Ramirez and the Guardians have locked up the No. 2 seed in the American League playoffs. This comes with a first round bye directly into the best of five Division Series. Cleveland will enjoy five days of rest before hosting the winner of the Wild Card matchup between the No. 6 seed Chicago White Sox and either Houston or Texas.

Power Surge Powers Comeback

The Royals struck early on Saturday, tagging Cleveland pitcher Tanner Bibee for three runs in the first inning. Carter Jensen and Jac Caglianone both hit doubles to put Kansas City ahead. However, Bibee settled down after that, throwing six innings and allowing just those three runs on seven hits while striking out six.

Cleveland's offense quickly responded with a four run second inning, helped by a fielding error from Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. Patrick Bailey hit a two run home run, and Steven Kwan added an RBI triple. Chase DeLauter, returning after missing four games with a right wrist sprain, hit a home run in the third inning off Michael Wacha.

Finishing Strong

The Guardians kept the pressure on late in the game. Travis Bazzana tripled and scored on a Nathaniel Lowe sacrifice fly in the sixth. Brayan Rocchio hit a solo home run in the seventh, and both Bailey and Rocchio hit consecutive home runs in a four run ninth inning. In total, nine of Cleveland's 14 hits went for extra bases.

Wacha took the loss for Kansas City, giving up six runs, though only two were earned, over six and a third innings. The last place Royals fell to 68-93 on the season. They have now lost 11 of their last 13 games and have dropped eight straight series to end their year.

The regular season wraps up on Sunday. The Guardians have not yet named a starting pitcher, while the Royals will send left hander Daniel Lynch to the mound.