Indians clinch AL Central for 2nd straight year

Their winning streak may be over, but the Cleveland Indians have clinched first place in the American League Central for the second straight season - the club's first consecutive division titles since a five-year run spanning 1995-99.

The Indians won Saturday's contest against the Kansas City Royals and dropped their magic number to clinch the division to one. Later that evening, the second-place Minnesota Twins were mathematically eliminated as a threat to win the AL Central with their 7-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.

With the division guaranteed, the Indians' sights turn toward the AL crown, which would guarantee they face the winner of the wild-card game.

At 92-57, the Indians have a tentative lead on the Houston Astros for the best record in the AL. In the event of a tie, the Indians would still claim the league after winning the season series against the Astros 5-1.

As of Saturday, the wild-card spots are currently occupied by the New York Yankees and the Twins.

The Indians came within one game of winning the 2016 World Series, but ultimately lost in extra innings to the Chicago Cubs, who famously snapped their 108-year championship drought. The Tribe hasn't won a World Series since 1948, giving them the longest active championship drought in baseball.

Aside from the 22-game win streak - which puts the team at 23-1 over its past 24 games - it has been a historic season for the Indians.

By 3rd order win percentage - Baseball Prospectus' projected win rate based on run differential - the Indians are the best team in baseball, and should be closing in on 100 wins by now.

Even further, the Indians lead the majors in a plethora of pitching metrics with a 3.36 ERA, 3.38 FIP, 2.59 BB/9, 10.01 K/9, 1.03 HR/9, and 28.6 WAR.