A third straight division title
For the third consecutive season, the Cleveland Guardians will finish the season on top of the American League Central. Cleveland clinched with a win over the Kansas City Royals and a Chicago White Sox loss on Saturday, September 26, after already securing a playoff place in Boston two days earlier.
It is another September comeback for manager Stephen Vogt, who is now three for three in the division since taking over before the 2024 season. The Guardians also secured the No. 2 seed in the AL bracket, which brings a bye through the wild card series and home advantage in the ALDS. Game 1 is scheduled for Saturday, October 3, at Progressive Field.
Wild card series start Tuesday
The 2026 regular season ended on Sunday, September 27, with the AL Central, the AL West and the final NL wild card berth all still live on the last day. The wild card series open on Tuesday.
Cleveland will meet the winner of the series between the AL West champion — either the Texas Rangers or the Houston Astros — and the sixth-seeded White Sox in the best-of-five ALDS. In the National League, San Diego and the Chicago Cubs are set for a wild card rematch, with game times now announced.
Verlander's final start
Detroit's Justin Verlander made the last start of his career on Sunday, leaving the mound for the final time to a hug from his daughter. The right-hander's exit closed a career that spanned more than two decades in the major leagues.