CLEVELAND — After another thrilling walk-off win over the Minnesota Twins Thursday, the Cleveland Guardians are locked in for the postseason and are one step closer to their second American League Central Division title in three years.
With a playoff spot secured, all eyes will be on Cleveland's division battle with the Kansas City Royals and the Guardians' magic number to clinch the AL Central.
The Royals haven't played since Wednesday night when the Detroit Tigers completed a three-game sweep. Kansas City will begin a three-game series with San Francisco Friday night. As it stands now, the Guardians' magic number is three.
That means with eight games left in the regular season, any combination of Cleveland wins and Kansas City losses equalling three would mean the Guardians are the AL Central Division champions.
With a record of 89-65 and a 6.5-game lead at the top of the division, the Guardians' magic number to clinch one of the top two seeds in the American League and secure a first-round playoff bye is four. Reaching that magic number, pending results between Cleveland and Houston Sept. 27-29, would place Cleveland in an automatic spot in the AL Division Series.
The Guardians have their next chance to take matters into their own hands as they take on the St. Louis Cardinals on the road in Busch Stadium at 8:15 p.m. Friday.
