The Cleveland Guardians, who held a nine-game lead in the AL Central in June, are now tied with the Kansas City Royals for first place after a 6-1 loss on Tuesday night, the third consecutive defeat in their four-game series. Paul DeJong's two-run homer and Kansas City's late-game offensive surge were key to the Royals' victory, raising concerns for Cleveland's playoff prospects as they have lost nine of their last 12 games. The loss not only impacts their division standing but also gives the Royals the season series advantage, a crucial tiebreaker for potential postseason implications. Cleveland's performance has been notably poor against divisional rivals, further jeopardizing their chances of postseason success. As the teams prepare for the final game of the series, Cleveland's struggles and lack of in-game adjustments have been highlighted as significant issues. The upcoming game at Progressive Field will be pivotal for both teams as they vie for the division lead.