Overview
- The Guardians clinched the AL Central with an 11-5 win over the Royals at Kauffman Stadium and a White Sox loss that officially delivered the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye.
- Patrick Bailey had his first career multi-homer game, including a game-tying two-run shot and a ninth-inning insurance homer, while Tanner Bibee rebounded to pitch six innings in a quality start.
- Chase DeLauter, Brayan Rocchio and Travis Bazzana provided additional run support with homers and extra-base hits that helped put the game out of reach.
- Cleveland overcame a midseason slump during José Ramírez’s recovery from left hamate surgery, with catcher Austin Hedges cited as a clubhouse leader during the turnaround.
- The Guardians will open the AL Division Series at Progressive Field against either the White Sox or the AL West winner (Astros or Rangers), and the bye lets the club rest players and plan its pitching rotation.