For the first time since 1985, the Royals have clinched a Division title.  The Royals are the Central Division champs, but now the focus shifts to home field advantage throughout the playoffs.  To do so, the Royals must hold off the Toronto Blue Jays.  The Royals and Blue Jays both won on Sunday.  Toronto, their fourth in a row with a win over Tampa Bay, 5-4.  The Royals shutout Cleveland 3-0.

Each team has seven games left.

RoyalsRoyals magic number to clinch home field advantage — 8

Royals 90-65
Toronto  90-65

 

The Cardinals gave up seven runs in the ninth inning to lose to Milwaukee 8-4, but the Pirates couldn’t cut the division to two games when they were stymied by Jake Arrieta of the Cubs on Sunday night.  Pittsburgh lost 4-0 to reduce the magic number by one

CardsCardinals magic number to clinch the Central Division — 4

Cardinals 98-58
Pittsburgh 95-61

 

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 Blue Jays) respectively.