Indians clinch 3rd straight AL Central title

The Cleveland Indians are headed to the postseason once again after clinching their third straight AL Central crown on Saturday with an emphatic 15-0 win over the Detroit Tigers.

Cleveland is the first team to clinch a division title this season.

The Indians wasted no time making sure they would be popping champagne on Saturday. They jumped all over Tigers starter Michael Fulmer - who threw just five pitches before leaving with an injury - and reliever Matt Hall for six runs in the first inning, then added another five in the second to make the rest of the contest academic.

Francisco Lindor led off the game by belting his 35th homer of the year, making him the first shortstop in baseball history to record at least 35 homers, 40 doubles, and 20 stolen bases in a single season, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

It wasn't all good news on Saturday for the Indians, though, as designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion had to leave in the fifth inning with what was later called a mild right ankle sprain. The move was precautionary, though there was no immediate update on Encarnacion's condition.

This marks the Indians' ninth AL Central title, the most among all five teams since the division was created in 1994. This also marks the first time they've reached the playoffs in three straight seasons since they made five consecutive trips to the postseason from 1995-99.

Once the playoffs begin, the Indians will try and end baseball's longest active title drought by winning their first World Series since 1948.

With a record of 83-65 after Saturday's win, the Indians are virtually assured of slotting in as the No. 3 seed during the upcoming AL playoffs. That would appear to have them on track to face this year's AL West champion - likely to be the Houston Astros - in this year's ALDS.