The Cleveland Guardians are headed to the postseason, but still have a chance to win the American League Central.
The visitors' clubhouse at Fenway Park was full of empty champagne bottles and other evidence of celebration late Thursday night and early Friday morning after the Cleveland Guardians officially clinched a spot in the 2026 MLB Playoffs.
Cleveland’s festivities after their win over the Boston Red Sox were well deserved. The Guardians have faced adversity and ups and downs throughout the season and have more than earned their spot in the 2026 MLB Playoffs.
The thing is, though, that the Guardians still have a lot on the line during the final series of the regular season against the Kansas City Royals.
Cleveland may be postseason-bound, but its seeding in the playoffs is still up in the air.
Right now, after Thursday’s win, the Guardians have clinched the No. 6 seed in the American League, at the very least. However, there’s still a path for Cleveland to win the American League Central, which would perfectly set them up for a deep October run.
Sep 24, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Cleveland Guardians left fielder Angel Martinez (1) celebrates after clinching a playoff berth at Fenway Park after a game against the Boston Red Sox. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn ImagesIf the Guardians were to win the division, they’d clinch the No. 2 seed in the American League because of the current playoff format. Not only would Cleveland claim another AL Central title, but the No. 2 seed would also give them an entire week off in the form of a bye in the first Wild Card series.
As it stands, heading into the final three games of the season, the Guardians are in the driver’s seat to win the division as the Chicago White Sox are a full game behind Cleveland as they start a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies.
What makes it interesting is that Cleveland must maintain that full-game lead over Chicago to win the division. If the Guardians and White Sox finish with identical records, Chicago would be named division champions because it won the season series, the first postseason tiebreaker.
Cleveland knows what's at stake over the next 72 hours. Even during manager Stephen Vogt’s celebratory speech in the locker room ahead of popping champagne bottles, he acknowledged that the job isn’t finished and that the team has a lot of work to do before the playoffs even get started.
The Guardians still playing with something on the line could benefit this team once the playoffs officially start, no matter where Cleveland is seeded.
This team can’t coast into the postseason; it has to play like it has something to lose. The Guardians have already flipped and are playing with a postseason mindset.
