The Cleveland Guardians clinched their second AL Central championship in three years Saturday, securing another impressive accomplishment for rookie manager Stephen Vogt.
Cleveland wrapped up the title when the second-place Kansas City Royals lost 9-0 to San Francisco. Jose Ramirez and the Guardians had already secured a postseason berth, locking up at least an American League wild card Thursday with a 3-2 win over Minnesota at home .
It's the fifth division crown for the franchise since 2016. Cleveland is going back to the playoffs for the first time since losing a 2022 AL Division Series to the New York Yankees in five games.
Cleveland entered Saturday needing a win at St. Louis or a Kansas City defeat to wrap up the AL Central race. Even before the Guardians got deep into their night game against the Cardinals, the Royals lost at home in a late-afternoon start.
Kansas City came from 10 games back on June 25 to tie the Guardians atop the division with a 6-1 victory in Cleveland on Aug. 27. But the Guardians rallied for a 7-5 win the following day to avert a four-game sweep.
