Guardians clinch third straight AL Central title
Cleveland’s 11–5 win over Kansas City, combined with Chicago’s loss to Colorado, secured the division crown and the American League’s No. 2 playoff seed.
The Cleveland Guardians clinched their third consecutive American League Central title on Saturday night, beating the Kansas City Royals 11–5. Chicago’s 9–6 loss to Colorado left Cleveland two games clear with one regular-season game remaining.
The title is Cleveland’s seventh division crown in the past 11 seasons. The Guardians are assured the American League’s No. 2 seed and a first-round bye into the best-of-five Division Series.
Cleveland hit five home runs and collected 14 hits, nine for extra bases. Patrick Bailey and Brayan Rocchio each homered twice, with Bailey and Rocchio hitting back-to-back shots in a four-run ninth inning.
Kansas City scored three runs in the first against Tanner Bibee, but Cleveland took the lead with a four-run second. Bibee then held the Royals scoreless over the next five innings.
The Guardians’ regular-season finale is Sunday against Kansas City. The source report said Cleveland had not decided on its starting pitcher.
