Tonight marks a goal that the Cleveland Guardians have been playing for this entire season. Yes, the team has clinched the AL Central Division with a Kansas City Royals loss this evening to the San Francisco Giants, 9-0. Ouch…
Well, us fans already knew the Guardians were going to the playoffs regardless as that was confirmed with a 3-2 win over the Minnesota Twins on the 19th of September. The Guardians have won the AL Central Divison (as Indians too) in the following years:
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2001 2007 2016 2017 2018 2022
What does winning the division mean over say simply a wild card birth?
Here’s how the playoffs work according to the MLB:
The top two division winners automatically advance to the DS, the division winner with the third-best record hosts the Wild Card winner with the worst record, and the other two Wild Card winners face each other.
Those details remain to be seen as the season closes out this month for good. However, now it’s officially known the Guardians will not have to play in the Wild Card Round (best of three series or against the top division winner in ALDS).
With a 90-65 current record, the Guardians have been on a glorious journey this season led by head coach Steven Vogt and company. A surprisingly consistent surge from many players who have played better than expected from the start to now – as the clinch is real.
We will keep you all updated on who the Guardians end up playing in the playoffs and more details on said first matchup. It’s an exciting time to be a Cleveland Baseball Fan and the playoffs are always a lot of fun especially winning that coveted World Series. It’s been a minute in these parts…
There is still lots of work to be done but what an incredible journey it has been for this squad. And it’s only just beginning even with an AL Central clinching this evening!
***The reason to play hard in these final set of regular season games is to try and finish with a better record than the New York Yankees (90-64 compared to Guardians at 90-65). Seven games left including tonight will dictate seeding and that could include a first round bye.
The closest team this year has been the Kansas City Royals. Besides the Chicago White Sox, it’s been a competitive division throughout. Quite an impressive battle between the best in baseball.
What’s most amazing is that coming into this season I don’t believe many fans felt that this team would carry the amount of dominance they have for this entire year.
I certainly did not.
I was expecting an average season at best. Now, who knows what’s to come in October when baseball is at its best ever!
Now, go out there and do it!
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