The Guardians have pulled off the impossible catching the Tigers for first place in the American League Central after being 15 ½ games out in July.
Now they have to finish the job, and the division tiebreaker already is sealed with the season down to five games.
Two of the most unbelievable stories of the season continued Tuesday night in Cleveland with the surging Guardians beating the freefalling Tigers yet again, this time 5-2 after trailing 2-0 through five innings with Detroit ace Tarik Skubal pitching.
The Tigers have lost seven in a row, 10 of 11 and are 26-38 since they won on July 8 for a 59-34 record that held them 14 games ahead of the Twins and Royals, and 15 ½ up on the Guardians.
If the Guardians take the division, they’ll have the biggest comeback in history surpassing the Boston Braves overcoming a 15-game deficit to win the 1914 NL pennant and the Yankees coming back from 14 ½ down in 1978 to beat out the Red Sox in a one-game playoff that forever will be known as the Bucky Dent game.
Elsewhere …
In New York, Jose Caballero capped a two-run, ninth-inning comeback with a walk-off single in a 3-2 Yankees win over the White Sox that clinched a wild card. The Yankees, who are in the playoffs for the eighth time in nine seasons, also got to within one game of the AL East-leading Blue Jays, who hold the tiebreaker.
In Toronto, Nathaniel Lowe broke a sixth-inning tie with RBI single and Carlos Narvaez followed with two-run double in a 4-1 Red Sox win over the Blue Jays, who lost for the fifth time in six games. Boston is in the second AL wild-card spot one game up on the Tigers and two ahead of the Astros.
In Seattle, Josh Naylor’s two-out, three-run double carried the Mariners to a 4-3 win over the Rockies that clinched their second postseason berth since 2001. They can win the AL East on Wednesday night with a win or an Astros loss.
In Sacramento, Calif., Jeffrey Springs allowed one run over five innings for the Athletics in a 5-1 victory over the Astros, whose fourth loss in a row has them one game behind the Tigers for the final AL wild card and four games behind AL West-leading Seattle with five to play.
In Chicago, Francisco Alvarez hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the eighth inning and the Mets outlasted the Cubs 9-7 to get back into an NL wild-card position. A day after the Mets were out of a postseason spot on a tiebreaker, they were one game up on the Reds and Diamondbacks.
In Phoenix, Geraldo Perdomo’s two-out, walk-off single in the ninth inning lifted the Diamondbacks to a 5-4 win over the Dodgers that kept them one game out of a wild-card spot. The Dodgers’ NL West lead over the Padres dropped to 1 ½ games.
In San Diego, Ryan O’Hearn hit a first-inning grand slam in a 7-0 Padres win over the Brewers that made the NL West race tighter. With the Phillies losing, Milwaukee’s magic number dropped to two for clinching the best record in the majors, which brings homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.
In Pittsburgh, Oneil Cruz hit a two-run homer in a 4-2 Pirates win over the Reds, who dropped a game behind the Mets for the last NL wild card.
In Philadelphia, Xavier Edwards’s 11th-run sacrifice fly carried the Marlins to a 6-5 win over the Phillies. Miami, which has won seven in a row and 11 of 12, is four games behind the Mets for the last NL wild card.
In San Francisco, Alec Burleson’s tie-breaking single capped a two-run ninth inning in a 9-8 Cardinals win over the Giants, who were eliminated from postseason contention. The Cardinals avoided elimination, but are 3 ½ games behind the Mets.
Here’s a look at magic numbers plus the remaining schedules and tiebreakers for the contenders through Tuesday, Sept. 23 along with playoff matchups if the postseason began on Wednesday, Sept. 24:
AL EAST
TORONTO BLUE JAYS (90-67)
Standings: First in AL East. Lead second-place Yankees by 1 game.
Tiebreakers: Blue Jays won season series with Yankees 8-5; Blue Jays won season series with Mariners 4-2; Blue Jays won season series with Tigers 4-3; Blue Jays split season series with Guardians 3-3.
Magic number to clinch AL East: 4
Magic number to clinch playoffs: Clinched Sept. 21.
Games remaining: 5 (5 home, 0 road).
Blue Jays schedule:
Wednesday, Sept. 24: Red Sox, 7:07 p.m., EST
Thursday, Sept. 25: Red Sox, 7:07 p.m., EST
Friday, Sept. 26: Rays, 7:07 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: Rays, 3:07 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Rays, 3:07 p.m., EST
NEW YORK YANKEES (89-68)
Standings: Second in AL East. Trail first-place Blue Jays by 1 game. First in AL wild-card standings. Lead Astros by 5 games for third wild card.
Tiebreakers: Yankees lost season series with Blue Jays 8-5; Yankees lost season series with Red Sox 9-4; Yankees tied season series with Astros 3-3; Yankees won season series with Mariners 5-1; Yankees lost season series with Tigers 4-2; Yankees tied season series with Guardians 3-3, but lose tiebreaker on division record.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: Clinched Sept. 23.
Games remaining: 5 (5 home, 0 road).
Yankees schedule:
Wednesday, Sept. 24: White Sox, 7:05 p.m., EST
Thursday, Sept. 25: White Sox, 7:05 p.m., EST
Friday, Sept. 26: Orioles, 7:05 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: Orioles, 1:05 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Orioles, 3:05 p.m., EST
BOSTON RED SOX (86-71)
Standings: Third in AL East. Trail first-place Blue Jays by 4 games. Second in AL wild-card standings. Lead Astros 2 games for 3rd AL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Red Sox won season series with Yankees 9-4; Red Sox tied season series with Mariners 3-3; Red Sox won season series with Astros 4-2; Red Sox won season series with Guardians 4-2.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 3
Games remaining: 5 (3 home, 2 road).
Red Sox schedule:
Wednesday, Sept. 24: at Blue Jays, 7:07 p.m., EST
Thursday, Sept. 25: at Blue Jays, 7:07 p.m., EST
Friday, Sept. 26: Tigers, 7:10 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: Tigers, 4:10 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Tigers, 3:05 p.m., EST
AL CENTRAL
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS (85-72)
Standings: Tied with Tigers for first in AL Central. Guardians hold tiebreaker. Guardians hold tiebreaker.
Tiebreakers: Guardians lead season series with Tigers 7-4; Guardians lost season series with Mariners 4-2; Guardians won season series with Astros 4-2; Guardians lost season series with Red Sox 4-2.
Magic number to clinch AL Central: 5
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 4
Remaining games: 5 (5 home, 0 road).
Guardians schedule:
Wednesday, Sept. 24: Tigers, 6:40 p.m., EST
Thursday, Sept. 25: Tigers, 6:40 p.m., EST
Friday, Sept. 26: Rangers, 7:10 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: Rangers, 6:10 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Rangers, 3:10 p.m., EST
DETROIT TIGERS (85-72)
Standings: Tied with Guardians for first in AL Central. Guardians hold tiebreaker. Third in AL wild-card standings. Lead Astros by 1 game for third AL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Tigers trail season series with Guardians 7-4; Tigers lost season series with Mariners 4-2; Tigers lost season series with Blue Jays 4-3; Tigers won season series with Yankees 4-2; Tigers won season series with Astros 4-2.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 4
Remaining games: 5 (0 home, 5 road).
Tigers schedule:
Wednesday, Sept. 24: at Guardians, 6:40 p.m., EST
Thursday, Sept. 25: at Guardians, 6:40 p.m., EST
Friday, Sept. 26: at Red Sox, 7:10 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: at Red Sox, 4:10 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: at Red Sox, 3:05 p.m., EST
AL WEST
SEATTLE MARINERS (88-69)
Standings: First in AL West. Lead Astros by 4 games.
Tiebreakers: Mariners won season series with Astros 8-5; Mariners won season series with Tigers 4-2; Mariners won season series with Guardians 4-2.
Magic number to clinch AL West: 1
Magic number to clinch playoffs: Clinched Sept. 24.
Remaining games: 5 (5 home, 0 road).
Mariners schedule:
Wednesday, Sept. 24: Rockies, 9:40 p.m., EST
Thursday, Sept. 25: Rockies, 9:40 p.m., EST
Friday, Sept. 26: Dodgers, 9:40 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: Dodgers, 9:40 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Dodgers, 3:10 p.m., EST
HOUSTON ASTROS (84-73)
Standings: Second in AL West. Trail first-place Mariners by 4 games. Fourth in AL wild-card standings. Trail Tigers by 1 game.
Tiebreakers: Astros lost season series with Mariners 8-5; Astros lost season series with Red Sox 4-2; Astros lost season series with Guardians 4-2; Astros lost season series with Tigers 4-2.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 4
Remaining games: 5 (0 home, 5 road).
Astros schedule:
Wednesday, Sept. 24: at Athletics, 10:05 p.m., EST
Thursday, Sept. 25: at Athletics, 3:35 p.m., EST
Friday, Sept. 26: at Angels, 9:38 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: at Angels, 9:38 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: at Angels, 3:07 p.m., EST
NL EAST
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES(92-65)
Standings: First in NL East. Lead second-place Mets by 11 games.
Tiebreakers: Phillies won season series with Dodgers 4-2; Phillies lost season series with Brewers 4-2.
Magic number to clinch NL East: Clinched Sept. 15.
Remaining games: 5 (5 home, 0 road).
Phillies schedule:
Wednesday, Sept. 24: Marlins, 6:45 p.m., EST
Thursday, Sept. 25: Marlins, 6:05 p.m., EST
Friday, Sept. 26: Twins, 7:45 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: Twins, 7:05 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Twins, 3:05 p.m., EST
NEW YORK METS (81-76)
Standings: Second in NL East. Trail first-place Phillies by 11 games. Third NL wild-card standings. Mets lead Reds and Diamondbacks by 1 game for third NL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Mets won season series with Giants 4-2; Mets lost season series with Reds 4-2; Mets tied season series with Diamondbacks 3-3.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 5
Remaining games: 5 (0 home, 5 road).
Mets schedule:
Wednesday, Sept. 24: at Cubs, 8:05 p.m., EST
Thursday, Sept. 25: at Cubs, 7:40 p.m., EST
Friday, Sept. 26: at Marlins, 7:10 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: at Marlins, 4:10 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: at Marlins, 3:10 p.m., EST
MIAMI MARLINS (77-80)
Standings: Third in NL East. Trail first-place Phillies by 15 games. Seventh NL wild-card standings. Trail Mets by 4 games for third NL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Marlins season series with Mets tied 5-5; Marlins won season series with Reds 4-3; Marlins tied season series with Diamondbacks 3-3.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 1
Remaining games: 5 (3 home, 2 road).
Mets schedule:
Wednesday, Sept. 24: at Phillies, 6:05 p.m., EST
Thursday, Sept. 25: at Phillies, 7:40 p.m., EST
Friday, Sept. 26: Mets, 7:10 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: Mets, 4:10 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Mets, 3:10 p.m., EST
NL CENTRAL
MILWAUKEE BREWERS (95-63)
Standings: First in NL Central. Lead second-place Cubs by 6.5 games.
Tiebreakers: Brewers won season series with Phillies 4-2.
Magic number to clinch NL Central: Clinched Sept. 21.
Remaining games: 4 (3 home, 1 road).
Brewers schedule:
Wednesday, Sept. 24: at Padres, 4:10 p.m., EST
Friday, Sept. 26: Reds, 8:10 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: Reds, 7:10 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Reds, 3:10 p.m., EST
CHICAGO CUBS (88-69)
Standings: Second in NL Central. Trail first-place Brewers by 6.5 games. First in NL wild-card standings. Lead Reds and Diamondbacks by 8 games for third NL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Cubs tied season series with Padres 3-3.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: Clinched Sept. 16.
Remaining games: 5 (5 home, 0 road).
Cubs schedule:
Wednesday, Sept. 24: Mets, 8:05 p.m., EST
Thursday, Sept. 25: Mets, 7:40 p.m., EST
Friday, Sept. 26: Cardinals, 2:20 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: Cardinals, 2:20 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Cardinals, 3:20 p.m., EST
CINCINNATI REDS (80-77)
Standings: Third in NL Central. Trail first-place Brewers by 14.5 games. Tied with Diamondbacks for fourth in NL wild-card standings. Trail Mets by 1 game.
Tiebreakers: Reds won season series with Mets 4-2; Reds tied season series with Giants 3-3; Reds won season series with Diamondbacks 4-2.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 6
Remaining games: 5 (2 home, 3 road).
Reds schedule:
Wednesday, Sept. 24: Pirates, 6:40 p.m., EST
Thursday, Sept. 25: Pirates, 12:40 p.m., EST
Friday, Sept. 26: at Brewers, 8:10 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: at Brewers, 7:10 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: at Brewers, 3:10 p.m., EST
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (78-80)
Standings: Fourth in NL Central. Trail first-place Brewers by 17 games. Sixth in NL wild-card standings. Trail Mets by 3.5 games for third NL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Cardinals lost season series with Mets 5-2; Cardinals tied season series with Reds 3-3.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 1
Remaining games: 4 (0 home, 4 road).
Cardinals schedule:
Wednesday, Sept. 25: at Giants, 9:45 p.m., EST
Friday, Sept. 26: at Cubs, 2:20 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: at Cubs, 2:20 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: at Cubs, 3:20 p.m., EST
NL WEST
LOS ANGELES DODGERS (88-69)
Standings: First in NL West. Lead second-place Padres by 1.5 games.
Tiebreakers: Dodgers won season series with Padres 9-4; Dodgers lost season series with Phillies 4-2; Dodgers lost season series with Brewers 6-0.
Magic number to clinch NL West: 3
Magic number to clinch playoffs: Clinched Sept. 19.
Remaining games: 5 (0 home, 5 road).
Dodgers schedule:
Wednesday, Sept. 24: at Diamondbacks, 9:40 p.m., EST
Thursday, Sept. 25: at Diamondbacks, 3:40 p.m., EST
Friday, Sept. 26: at Mariners, 9:40 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: at Mariners, 9:40 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: at Mariners, 3:10 p.m., EST
SAN DIEGO PADRES (87-71)
Standings: Second in NL West. Trail first-place Dodgers by 1.5 games. Second in NL wild-card standings. Lead Mets by 5.5 games for third NL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Padres lost season series with Dodgers 9-4; Padres won season series with Mets 4-2.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: Clinched Sept. 22.
Remaining games: 4 (4 home, 0 road).
Padres schedule:
Wednesday, Sept. 24: Brewers, 4:10 p.m., EST
Friday, Sept. 26: Diamondbacks, 9:40 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: Diamondbacks, 8:40 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Diamondbacks, 3:10 p.m., EST
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (80-77)
Standings: Third in NL West. Trail first-place Dodgers by 8 games. Tied with Reds for fourth in NL wild-card standings. Trail Mets by 1 game for third NL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Diamondbacks tied season series with Mets 3-3; Diamondbacks won season series with Giants 7-6; Diamondbacks lost season series with Reds 4-2.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 5
Remaining games: 5 (2 home, 3 road).
Diamondbacks schedule:
Wednesday, Sept. 24: Dodgers, 9:40 p.m., EST
Thursday, Sept. 25: Dodgers, 3:40 p.m., EST
Friday, Sept. 26: at Padres, 9:40 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: at Padres, 8:40 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: at Padres, 3:10 p.m., EST
POSTSEASON MATCHUPS
AL WILD CARD SERIES (best-of-3)
Blue Jays (1), Mariners (2), byes
Tigers (6) at Guardians (3)
Red Sox (5) at Yankees (4)
NL WILD CARD SERIES (best-of-3)
Brewers (1), Phillies (2), byes
Mets (6) at Dodgers (3)
Padres (5) at Cubs (4)
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.