For the first time since 1985, the Royals have clinched a Division title. The Royals are the Central Division champs after beating the Seattle Mariners 10-4. The Minnesota Twins lost at home to Cleveland 6-3, earlier on Thursday night to pave the way for the Royals to notch their 7th division championship.
Now the focus shifts to home field advantage throughout the playoffs. To do so, the Royals must hold off the Toronto Blue Jays. Entering play on Friday, with ten games left to the play, K.C. holds a two-game edge over Toronto
Royals magic number to clinch home field advantage — 9
Royals 89-63
Toronto 87-65
The Cardinals won their fifth straight, a 7-3 victory over Milwaukee and lowered the number by one after Pittsburgh beat Colorado 5-4 earlier on Thursay.
Cardinals magic number to clinch the Central Division — 6
Cardinals 97-56
Pittsburgh 93-60
The magic number is determined by taking 163 and subtracting the number of wins for the Cardinals (or Royals) and subtracting the number of losses for the Pirates (and Twins) respectively.
