The Cleveland Guardians have punched their ticket and are headed to the 2026 MLB Playoffs.
Cleveland, you will have an October to remember!
The Cleveland Guardians are heading back to the postseason as they officially clinched a playoff berth on Thursday evening. It’s the Guardians' third consecutive season heading to the playoffs, the fourth time in the last five years, and the 19th time in franchise history that Cleveland will extend its season into October.
The Guardians had one job in their series finale against the Red Sox: win the game, and they'd punch their ticket to October. It was close, and it certainly felt like a playoff-like win, as Cleveland just barely took down Boston, 1-0, to win the series.
There’s still more baseball to be played. There’s still a chance that the Guardians could win the American League Central, get the No. 2 seed, and get a bye, too, but for now, Cleveland will, at the very least, be in the game as a Wild Card team.
Sep 24, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Cleveland Guardians left fielder Angel Martinez (1) celebrates after hitting a home run during the second inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn ImagesThe players who helped the Guardians win and clinch a spot in the postseason are very fitting, considering the year they’ve had.
The only run the Guardians scored came in the second inning: a solo home run off the bat of Angel Martinez. The hit itself had an expected batting average of .160 and only traveled 319 feet.
The ball barely curved around the Pesky Pole and dropped into the stands. Fenway Park is the only stadium in baseball where it would have been a home run.
Martinez’s breakout 2026 season has been a key reason Cleveland is in this position. He leads the team in home runs, which is a fitting stat considering his solo shot was the only run scored in the victory.
The other player who helped close the game out and officially make their way to the playoffs was Cade Smith, who notched his 41st save of the 2026 season.
The team has now officially made the playoffs in all three seasons of the Stephen Vogt managerial era. Considering all the adversity the Guardians have faced not just this year, but over the last few seasons, it makes it even sweeter.
Cleveland has been one of the hottest teams in baseball over the last few weeks. The Guardians are 22-10 over their last 32 games, which is among one of the best records in baseball over that stretch.
The Guardians are playing some of their best baseball of the season at the perfect time, and hopefully it continues into the playoffs.
