For the third consecutive season the Cleveland Guardians have won the Central Division title.
Last year they came from behind to overtake the Detroit Tigers, this year they rallied to catch and pass the Chicago White Sox thanks to an 11-5 victory in Kansas City on Saturday night and then got some help from the Colorado Rockies who beat the Pale Hose Saturday 9-6, thus crowning the Guards as Division Champs.
The Division Championship is especially important because it gives the Guardians the No. 2 seed in the American League and a first-round bye. That means Cleveland will not have to play in the best-of-three Wild Card Series, which begins September 29. Instead, the Guardians will have several days to rest, set their pitching rotation and prepare for the Division Series. MLB’s current playoff structure sends the No. 3 seed against No. 6 and No. 4 against No. 5 in the Wild Card round.
The exact opponent for Cleveland’s Division Series is still to be determined. The Guardians will face the winner of the American League Wild Card matchup involving the No. 3 seed and No. 6 seed. The No. 3 seed will be the American League West champion, while the White Sox are currently positioned as the No. 6 seed.
The Guardians’ potential first playoff game is Saturday, October 3, when the American League Division Series begins. Because Cleveland has earned the No. 2 seed, Game 1 would be played at Progressive Field, with Cleveland also scheduled to host Game 2 and, if necessary, Game 5.
