It's the end of a long sequence in MLB.
For the first time since 2016, Major League Baseball's playoffs will begin without the Astros – and that's going to make the Yankees happy. The Texas club saw the Tigers and Guardians win last night, effectively eliminating the Astros before their game was even over.
Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa and Isaac Paredes all took one at bat tonight and then exited the game because the Astros are eliminated from playoff contention pic.twitter.com/0sCozp3Js7
– Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) September 28, 2025
The Tigers won against the Red Sox and the Guardians won against the Rangers.
I don't know if you saw, but the Guardians won yesterday via a hit-by-pitch. The bases were loaded and the winning run was scored that way. Nasty way to enter the playoffs.
#GUARDSBALL is headed to October! pic.twitter.com/gU10dZxyFv
– MLB (@MLB) September 28, 2025
So, the Guardians (who've been on the comeback trail lately) and the Tigers (who've fallen apart, but not to the point of missing the playoffs) are headed for the October dance. But who will win the Central Division?
It's still up for grabs.

Both teams have an 87-74 record, but Cleveland has the edge in the tiebreaker. So for Detroit to win the division, it'll take a Tigers win and a Guardians loss today.
Here are the possible scenarios for Cleveland and Detroit, who will face the Red Sox tomorrow.
- Guardians win and Tigers win: Guardians 3rd, Tigers 5th and Red Sox 6th
- Guardians win and Tigers lose: Guardians 3rd, Red Sox 5th and Tigers 6th
- Guardians loss and Tigers loss: Guardians 3rd, Red Sox 5th and Tigers 6th
- Guardians loss and Tigers win: Tigers 3rd, Red Sox 5th and Guardians 6th
Remember that the club finishing fifth will face the team between the Blue Jays and the Yankees in the Wild Card Series that doesn't win the East Division. Barring a Yankees win and a Blue Jays loss today, the #4 club will be the Yankees.
The sixth-place club will face the Central Division champion, either Cleveland or Detroit.

In reality, of the six teams qualified in the American, the only team that can't move today is Seattle. The Mariners are guaranteed to finish in second place and avoid the wild card matches .
Have a good Sunday.

- Will Cal Raleigh hit a home run today?
Cal Raleigh will sit on 60 homers going into the regular season finale, but Julio Rodríguez achieved a 30/30 season and Harry Ford picked up his first career hit – with the ball given to him by his childhood hero.
“Definitely a moment I won't forget. “https://t.co/g0WmgEOjZp
– Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) September 28, 2025
- Oliver Marmol doesn't manage to please the fans. The Cards' manager gave Michael Busch an intentional walk when he was a single away from a carousel.
Oli Marmol on intentionally walking Michael Busch in the eighth inning when he was a single shy of the cycle:
“I'm not here for anybody's amusement. I'm trying to win a game.”
(Via: @KatieJWoo) pic.twitter.com/aXOHqr18C1
– Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) September 27, 2025
- Bruce Bochy will provide an update on his future shortly.
Bruce Bochy will “wait until after the season” to address his future as manager.@Ken_Rosenthal caught up with the Rangers skipper
pic.twitter.com/2BbDzFQnlD
– FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) September 27, 2025
- Trea Turner: back in action today.
Phillies will activate Trea Turner for Game 162. He'll play a few innings at shortstop Sunday. Phillies medical staff has deemed him healthy, Rob Thomson said.
– Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) September 28, 2025
This content was created with the help of AI.