CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Guardians are on the verge of crashing the American League playoffs, and could punch their ticket as early as Thursday based on a very specific scenario.
Cleveland will likely know before first pitch against Detroit whether or not a clinching celebration can happen tonight because Houston plays the Athletics in a series finale beginning at 3:35 p.m. ET in Sacramento.
If the Astros drop their sixth straight and the Guardians go on to beat the Tigers, it guarantees that Cleveland can finish no worse than the No. 3 wild card.
Cleveland would then have a chance to claim the AL Central Division title outright with a victory in any of its final three games against Texas.
What’s at stake
Cleveland seeks its 15th playoff appearance since 1995. The magic number to clinch a playoff bid is 2. Any combination of Houston losses and Guardians wins that adds up to 2 will put the Guards in the postseason for the third time in the last four years and fourth in the last six.
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | MAG# | L10 | STRK | NEXT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLE | 86 | 72 | .544 | – | 3 | 9-1 | W2 | Sept. 25 vs. DET |
| DET | 85 | 73 | .538 | 1.0 | – | 1-9 | L8 | Sept. 25 at CLE |
AL Central Division chase
While Fangraphs.com gives the Guardians a 90% chance to make the playoffs, Cleveland has its eyes fixed on its 13th division title since the AL Central was formed in 1994. The Guards have a magic number of 3 to clinch the division, meaning any combination of Cleveland wins and Detroit losses that equals 3 would make the Guardians division champions for the second straight year.
After giving Cleveland less than a 1% chance to reach the postseason a month ago, Fangraphs now projects 88 wins and an 80.1% chance that manager Stephen Vogt’s team will raise yet another AL Central banner.
The Matchups
The series finale against the Tigers is set for a 6:40 p.m. start at Progressive Field on Thursday and will air on CLEGuardians.TV, WTAM 1100 AM, WMMS 100.7 FM, WARF 1350 AM (Spanish) and the Guardians Radio Network.
- THU: LHP Parker Messick (3-0, 2.08) vs. TBD
Messick will be facing Detroit for the first time in his career, marking his seventh big league start. The Tigers have not announced a starting pitcher and will likely go with a bullpen game. Tyler Holton and Rafael Montero, relievers who were thought to be in position to start Thursday’s game, both pitched in Wednesday’s 5-1 Guardians win.
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