CLEVELAND — With the Cleveland Guardians still in first place as the 2022 MLB season nears its end, their magic number for clinching the American League Central Division is coming into focus.
With a 6-3 win over the Texas Rangers to open a three-game series Friday night, coupled with a Chicago White Sox loss to the Detroit Tigers, the Guardians trimmed their magic number from five to three. Cleveland previously clinched the head-to-head season tiebreaker vs. the Sox, 12-7, meaning the Guards would win the division if the two teams finish the season tied atop the standings.
Any combination of Cleveland wins and Chicago losses that total three between now and the end of the season will result in the Guardians winning their first division title since the 2018 season. Currently, the earliest that the Guardians can clinch the AL Central championship is Sunday, Sept. 25, which can only occur if they sweep the Rangers and Chicago also loses its Saturday matchup with the Tigers. Cleveland could also clinch on Sunday if it wins its next matchup with Texas and Chicago is swept by Detroit, along with some other combinations.
Entering Saturday's 7:05 p.m. ET matchup with the Rangers, the Guardians lay claim to an 84-67 record and an eight-game lead in the Central with 11 games remaining on its schedule. The White Sox, meanwhile, possess a 76-75 record with 11 games of their own remaining.