The Detroit Tigers were supposed to be the better team on paper, and the Chicago White Sox were a compelling story all year-long, but the Cleveland Guardians are still the kings of the American League Central. Despite ranking last in MLB with a sub-$80 million payroll, Stephen Vogt's ballclub once again rallied late and have now claimed first place for the third consecutive year.

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The Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Rays are justly getting showered with praise for their small-market mastery, but the Guards consistently develop savvy, winning ballplayers in their own right. Clinging to a one-game lead over the White Sox, Cleveland overcame a 3-0 deficit in the first inning versus the Kansas City Royals on Saturday and earned an 11-5 victory inside Kauffman Stadium. That was only half of the equation, however.

Since Chicago owns the head-to-head tiebreaker (won series 7-6), the Guards needed the last-place Colorado Rockies to give them a hand in Rate Field. All-Star catcher Hunter Goodman blasted two home runs and the visitors grabbed a 9-6 W, vaulting the Guardians past the Wild Card round and into an AL Division Series showdown with either the White Sox or AL West winner. This club just finds a way.