For the first time since 1985, the Royals have won their division.
With a 10-4 win over the Mariners, paired with a loss by the Twins, the Royals (89-63) punched their ticket into the postseason for the second year in a row and clinched first place in the AL Central.
MORE: 10 greatest Royals of all time | Pitching woes could sink Royals in October
Carried by defense, speed and the consistent bats of Lorenzo Cain (.307/.362/.483), Eric Hosmer (.303/.366/.451), Kendrys Morales (.292/.356/.843), and trade-deadline aquisition Ben Zobrist (.303/.392/.479 with KC), the Royals have spent the past 154 days on top of the AL Central.
Although the club has experienced a recent slide that has seen the team ERA balloon to 5.33 in September, Kansas City clinched the division with an 11-game lead over the Twins, who still have a chance to sneak into a wild-card spot.
While the Royals' playoff seed remains unknown, they still have work to do to clinch home-field advantage with the best record in the American League. With the Blue Jays (87-65) riding a hot streak, the Royals' magic number to clinch home field advantage sits at nine after Thursday.
Last season, the Royals came within 90 feet of forcing extra innings in Game 7 of the World Series, but saw their magical run in the postseason come to an end with the home loss.
Could another magical run be in store for the Royals? The last time the Royals won their division, they went on to win the World Series.