The Cleveland Guardians seized sole possession of first place in the American League Central on Wednesday, beating the Chicago White Sox 6-3 at Progressive Field and ending Chicago’s long run atop the division.
Cleveland improved to 78-75. Chicago fell to 77-75. The half-game lead is Cleveland’s first stretch of sole first place since July 3.
The Guardians took two of three in the series. They have won 10 of their last 16 games during a late-season climb that few expected when the year began.
MLB Network analyst Harold Reynolds credited manager Stephen Vogt for keeping the club in contention.
“He’s won two Manager of the Year awards in-a-row,” Reynolds said. “I think this is his best year. He’s amazing. He keeps them in games. He is Steady Eddy. The Guardians were not supposed to be where they’re at right now.”
Vogt won the American League Manager of the Year award in both 2024 and 2025, his first two seasons as Cleveland’s skipper. He is the first manager to capture the honor in each of his first two big-league seasons.
Starting pitching has carried the recent surge. Rookie left-hander Parker Messick earned the win Wednesday, allowing three runs over six innings with eight strikeouts. He is 12-9 with a 2.57 ERA and 186 strikeouts in 178 1/3 innings.
Gavin Williams is 13-8 with a 3.78 ERA. Together they have given Cleveland consistent length and a chance to win almost every start.
Petey Halpin supplied the biggest swing of the afternoon. With two on and two out in the sixth, the rookie outfielder hit a three-run homer that put Cleveland ahead 5-3. José Ramírez followed with an RBI double to make it 6-3.
Jo Adell had driven in two runs with a single in the third. Tommy Pham, activated from the injured list before the game, answered with a three-run homer in the fifth that briefly put Chicago in front.
Closer Cade Smith finished the game, recording his 37th save. He has been one of the most reliable late-inning arms in the league.
Chicago had held at least a share of first place since July 4, a stretch of 74 days. The White Sox have lost seven of their last nine and 12 of 17.
FanGraphs gave Cleveland a 58.7 percent chance of winning the division and an 82.4 percent chance of reaching the postseason after Wednesday’s result. Chicago’s division odds sat at 41.4 percent.
Nine games remain for the Guardians, beginning with a weekend series against the Athletics at Progressive Field. The White Sox play Detroit on Thursday and can pull even with a win.
Cleveland is chasing a third straight AL Central title. The club has reached the postseason in each of Vogt’s first two seasons despite an offense that has often ranked near the bottom of the league.
Ramírez collected two doubles Wednesday and tied Nap Lajoie for second on the franchise career doubles list with 424. His presence remains the constant in a lineup that has mixed veterans and young players.
The Guardians added pieces at the trade deadline, including outfielder Jo Adell and first baseman Nathaniel Lowe. Those additions have given Vogt more lineup flexibility down the stretch.
The division race remains tight with little margin for error. Both Cleveland and Chicago are also tracking Wild Card standings that include the Rangers, Blue Jays and Orioles.
Vogt has repeatedly said the organization does not rebuild and expects to compete every year. The current standing reflects that approach even after an uneven first five months.
Messick has now posted 13 consecutive starts allowing three earned runs or fewer dating to July 4. That consistency has been central to Cleveland’s climb.
The Guardians host the Athletics on Friday. A strong weekend would give them breathing room heading into the final week of the regular season.
