Guardians clinch AL Central title with 11-5 win over Royals and White Sox’s loss to Rockies

Charlie Riedel

Posted Saturday, September 26, 2026 9:53 pm

Paul Hoynes (via Cleveland.com)

Cleveland Guardians' Patrick Bailey, right, celebrates with Travis Bazzana (37) after hitting a two-run home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Cleveland Guardians catcher Patrick Bailey (16) and starting pitcher Tanner Bibee (28) miss catching a foul ball hit by Kansas City Royals' Carter Jensen during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Cleveland Guardians' Steven Kwan celebrates on third after hitting a triple during the second inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Cleveland Guardians' Patrick Bailey runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Cleveland Guardians' Patrick Bailey runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Cleveland Guardians' Jo Adell runs home to score on a sacrifice fly hit by Nathaniel Lowe during the second inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Cleveland Guardians catcher Patrick Bailey (16) and starting pitcher Tanner Bibee (28) miss catching a foul ball hit by Kansas City Royals' Carter Jensen during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Cleveland Guardians' Nathaniel Lowe watches his sacrifice fly to score a run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Cleveland Guardians' Travis Bazzana celebrates in the dugout after scoring on a sacrifice fly hit by Nathaniel Lowe during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Cleveland Guardians' Travis Bazzana celebrates in the dugout after scoring on a sacrifice fly hit by Nathaniel Lowe during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Cleveland Guardians' Brayan Rocchio runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Cleveland Guardians' Brayan Rocchio, right, celebrates with Steven Kwan (38) after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Cleveland Guardians' Brayan Rocchio celebrates as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Cleveland Guardians' Brayan Rocchio, right, celebrates with Steven Kwan (38) after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

KANSAS CITY — The Guardians did their part, and the Rockies did theirs.