The Cleveland Guardians can clinch a playoff spot today, but how?
The Cleveland Guardians are getting closer and closer to clinching a playoff spot, and it could happen as early as later today.
Cleveland was able to take down the Boston Red Sox in the opening game of a three-game series, giving this team more of a chance. The magic number for the Guardians is now down to just two games, and this means that the Guardians are on the cusp of getting into October.
Of course, Cleveland still has work to do to clinch their spot, but with only a handful of games left to go, the team has to be feeling good about themselves. But entering tonight, the Guardians could punch their ticket for the eighth time in the last 11 seasons.
For the clinching scenario, here is what needs to happen:
First, Cleveland needs to take care of business against the Red Sox, taking another game in the series.
Secondly, the Guardians will need a little help from the New York Mets against the Texas Rangers. If the Rangers were to drop another game to the Mets, while Cleveland wins, the Guardians would be in the playoffs.
The Guardians would also get in if the Houston Astros were to lose to the Seattle Mariners, while also winning today.
Cleveland is still vying for the American League Central division crown, with them holding a slim 1.0 game lead over the Chicago White Sox. Like the Guardians, the White Sox won last night, taking down the Kansas City Royals to keep pace in the division race.
Both teams are looking to win the division, with each having a solid chance to get in as a wild-card team if not. But winning the division could give either side a first-round bye due to the AL being extremely weak this season.
Chicago holds the tiebreaker over the Guardians in the standings, so Cleveland will need to make sure that they grab at least a one game lead. But the White Sox have been a gritty team all season long, making life tough on the Guardians in the division race.
After the series with Boston, the Guardians will be heading to face the Royals to close out the regular season. The White Sox will be taking on the Colorado Rockies, making this finish for the AL Central likely to come down to the final day or two.
But the Guardians feel good about where they are as a team right now, having gone 8-2 over their last 10 games overall. Cleveland should be taking things one game at a time right now, looking to punch their ticket into the dance.
