KANSAS CITY -- There were points this summer when it felt like the walls could begin to close in on the Guardians. Cleveland entered a midseason swoon before the All-Star break, for one, when it was trying to tread water without José Ramírez after he underwent left hamate surgery.
After the Guardians fell to one game over .500 with a fourth straight loss on July 8, catcher and team leader Austin Hedges offered some hopeful context and confidence the tide would turn.
“There is no glory without sucking and suffering and overcoming things,” Hedges said that night. “We're being tested right now while maintaining being right where we want to be, which is near the top of the division with a chance to make the playoffs, trying to win a World Series.”
They made it all the way to the top. The Guardians clinched the American League Central for the third straight season on Saturday, when they beat the Royals, 11-5, at Kauffman Stadium and the White Sox followed by losing to the Rockies, 9-6, officially giving Cleveland the division title.
The Guardians also secured a first-round bye and the No. 2 seed in the AL postseason field. They will begin playoff action on Saturday at Progressive Field, in Game 1 of the AL Division Series, against the White Sox or the winner of the AL West -- either the Astros or Rangers.
Postseason Guide
• Current bracket, tiebreakers and more
• Clinch scenarios: AL West | Final NL WC
• Every team that's clinched so far
• Postseason schedule
• FAQ: Tiebreaker rules | Postseason format
“I'm really proud of this group because boy, it wasn't easy,” Hedges said. “It never is. Just being able to celebrate with this group, to earn that bye, the division runs through Cleveland.”
Cleveland has won the Central in four of the past five seasons, seven of the past 11 and 14 times in 32 possible seasons overall. The track record speaks for itself. But similar to 2025 -- when the Guardians completed a historic comeback to win the division -- this title was hard-fought.
The Guardians were 60-65 and six games behind the division-leading White Sox the morning of Aug. 17. They became the first team to win a division title in consecutive seasons despite being at least six games through 125 games or more in both campaigns, according to Elias Sports.
A stellar finish paved the way. The Guards are 16-8 in September. Since 2013, Cleveland has the second-best winning percentage (.609) in the regular season in September and October. Only the Dodgers (.623) have been better. What’s behind that trend?
“If I could answer that question, we’d start doing it in April,” president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti joked, when asked what’s behind the late-season magic.
Whatever it is, this organization has a knack for finishing with a flourish. It also has a propensity for getting the most out of its roster, and this season was no different.
“I think that's the story of this year, is how deep the roster was,” manager Stephen Vogt said. “There are so many people that have contributed to this win and this division championship, and I think that's what makes this feel really good.”
Ramírez was having an uncharacteristic season before he underwent left hamate surgery, and he has had some ups and downs since returning while managing the after-effects of his procedure. This roster was built more than those of recent seasons to pick him up, as he so often has done for the entire organization in his career.
The Guardians had a quiet offseason while looking to give their rising talent opportunities in the Majors. This season, we’ve seen Martínez and Brayan Rocchio take a step forward offensively, and rookies Chase DeLauter and Travis Bazzana add some punch to an offense that struggled in 2025.
Steven Kwan’s second-half revival has been a boost for the lineup, as have Trade Deadline additions Jo Adell and Nathaniel Lowe. As always, Cleveland’s pitching has been its backbone, from All-Star closer Cade Smith all the way up to the rotation. The Guardians are the only team with four pitchers who have made 30-plus starts this season.
“We know we’ve got our Michael Jordan, and everyone else is just trying to do their part,” Hedges said.
That rotation is led by AL Rookie of the Year Award and Cy Young Award contender Parker Messick, who will get one final tuneup on Sunday before a likely start in Game 1 or 2 of the AL Division Series, and fellow staff anchor Gavin Williams.
With off-days built in, the Guardians can get those guys two apiece in the ALDS. Meanwhile, they will avoid facing their opponent’s top two starters to begin the ALDS, given those pitchers likely will pitch in the Wild Card Series.
Cleveland’s reward for winning the Central also includes five days to rest and recuperate before the series opens. The Guards will map out a plan in the immediate future for how they will stay sharp in their downtime.
Once Saturday rolls along, it’s go-time. For now, these guys are relishing a hard-fought achievement.
“That's what makes this so much better because we suffered and we freaking grinded all year,” Hedges said. “Now, it's worth it. But we're not done. Now, we get to go play for what we worked so hard for all year. It feels good when the hard work pays off, but all that suffering is really worth it right now.”