How Guardians are helping White Sox run away with AL Central

The Chicago White Sox have controlled first place in the AL Central for the majority of the 2026 season. 

This comes just two seasons after the White Sox won just 41 games in a historically bad season. 

Chicago is looking to make its first trip to the postseason since 2021, and they might get a first-round bye if they can hold off the Cleveland Guardians. 

As of Wednesday morning, the Guardians are three games behind the White Sox. They've gone 8-2 in their last 10 games while the Sox are 6-4 in their previous 10 contests. 

Chicago's September schedule could help them make a final push towards the division title, and the Guardians are doing themselves no favors by not calling up one of their top prospects. 

"But the White Sox otherwise have one of the easiest remaining schedules in the majors, while the Guardians aren't even being serious in their pursuit of the postseason, opting against using one of their September callup spots on Ralphy Velazquez—who hit .356/.433/.867 with 15 home runs in August—presumably because they want him to continue playing in the minors if there is a lockout, which players cannot do if they are on a 40-man roster," Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller wrote. 

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The Guardians could use more power down the stretch, and Velazquez could be a signifcant boost in that department. 

Outfielder Angel Martinez leads the Guardians with just 14 home runs. 

"Even if Cleveland had promoted its top prospect, though, the White Sox have had astounding staying power with Munetaka Murakami, Colson Montgomery and Miguel Vargas all on the brink of 30 home runs," Miller added. "They'll stay ahead, and they'll secure the No. 2 seed." 

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