The Chicago White Sox lead the 2026 MLB AL Central division race at 75-69, 2 games ahead of the Cleveland Guardians.
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AL Central standings, 2026
Team
W
L
Pct
GB
L10
Streak
Magic
Chicago White Sox (CWS)
75
69
.521
-
4-6
L1
16
Cleveland Guardians (CLE)
74
72
.507
2
6-4
W1
E16
Minnesota Twins (MIN)
69
76
.476
6.5
5-5
W1
E12
Detroit Tigers (DET)
66
79
.455
9.5
3-7
L1
E9
Kansas City Royals (KC)
64
82
.438
12
3-7
L2
E6
Through September 8, 2026. A magic number counts what would settle the race. The leader needs that many wins of its own, losses by second place, or any mix of the two. An E number is the same count for a team below, measured against the leader. Reach it and that team's chase is over.
Turning points
The lead has changed hands 16 times.
The Chicago White Sox trailed by as many as 5 games on April 16, 2026.
The Chicago White Sox have led alone since July 4, 2026.
The magic number is 16: any mix of 16 more wins for the Chicago White Sox and losses for the Cleveland Guardians puts the race beyond reach.
The Cleveland Guardians have gained 2 games on first place since August 9, 2026.
The Kansas City Royals won 9 games in a row from August 16, 2026 to August 25, 2026, the longest run of the race.
The Cleveland Guardians led by 4.5 games as late as May 24, 2026.
The Chicago White Sox led by as many as 5.5 games on August 16, 2026.
The Chicago White Sox have spent 88 of the season's 168 charted days so far in first place.