{
  "id": 9671313,
  "title": "Guardians clinch a playoff spot again, edging the Red Sox 1-0 on Martínez homer",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/guardians-clinch-a-playoff-spot-again-edging-the-red-sox-1-0-on",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-25T01:43:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/guardians-clinch-playoff-spot-again-014300613.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Cleveland Guardians secured a playoff berth for the third consecutive season, defeating Boston Red Sox 1-0 on Angel Martínez's home run in Thursday night's game. Daniel Espino pitched a single inning before Joey Cantillo took over for the remaining scoreless innings, allowing only one hit while striking out four. Martínez's 18th homer of the season came in the second inning. Red Sox closer Cade Smith struck out all batters in the ninth inning, securing his 41st save in major league history. The Guardians have clinched an American League wild card spot and maintain a one-game lead over Chicago White Sox in the AL Central. With the division winner likely to receive the No. 2 seed and a bye in the Division Series, Chicago holds the head-to-head tiebreaker. The Red Sox have clinched a playoff spot for the second straight season but are still vying for a better seed. Boston currently leads Chicago by three games for the second wild card position, which would secure the No. 5 seed and a best-of-three series against the No. 4 New York team. Red Sox starter Ranger Suarez surrendered one run over five innings, allowing five strikeouts. The Red Sox center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela returned to the lineup after sitting out Wednesday's game due to right hamstring tightness. Guardians' starting pitcher Gavin Williams (14-8, 3.63 ERA) is expected to be the probable starter as Cleveland begins a three-game series in Kansas City on Friday. The Red Sox have yet to designate a starter for either game of their upcoming doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs.",
  "summary": "Angel Martínez homered and Joey Cantillo threw five one-hit innings in a bulk relief role as the Cleveland Guardians clinched a playoff spot for the third straight year with a 1-0 win over the Boston Red Sox on Thursday night. Cleveland is guaranteed at least an American League wild card and retains a one-game lead over the Chicago White Sox in the AL Central. Chicago has the head-to-head…",
  "key_points": [
    "Cleveland Guardians secure third consecutive playoff berth",
    "Angel Martínez hits 18th homer of season, clinches win",
    "Red Sox closer Cade Smith records 41st save in major league history"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The Guardians' third consecutive playoff berth cements their status as a consistent American League contender, while the Red Sox secure a second straight postseason spot but still jockey for seeding.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Guardians clinch a playoff spot again, edging the Red Sox 1-0 on Martínez homer",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/guardians-clinch-a-playoff-spot-again-edging-the-red-sox-1-0-on-9672714",
        "published": "2026-09-25T01:44:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "White Sox clinch a playoff spot with a 9-1 win over Royals",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/white-sox-clinch-a-playoff-spot-with-a-9-1-win-over-royals",
        "published": "2026-09-25T02:52:56.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}