CLEVELAND — The Guardians have wrapped up a playoff spot, the American League Central division and now one of the top two spots in the American League, which will afford them a bye through the wild card series and home-field advantage in the ALDS, which is set to begin Oct. 5 at Progressive Field.

The Guardians have four games remaining, which gives them some time to align their pitching before they have five days of rest heading into their first playoff game.

Joey Cantillo was going to start Wednesday, but he'll instead pitch Friday. The Guardians will go with a bullpen game on Wednesday with the off day coming on Thursday.

Check back here for live score updates, analysis and highlights from Wednesday's game.

Final score: Guardians beat the Reds

Emmanuel Clase worked into a bases-loaded jam with nobody out and went on to retire the next three batters to record his 47th save of the season, and the Guardians have beaten the Reds 5-2 on Jose Ramirez's heroics in the eighth inning.

Jose Ramirez crushes go-ahead home run in eighth inning

With two on and two out in the eighth, Jose Ramirez launched a no-doubt, three-run home run that has the Guardians up 5-2.

Ramirez has had an incredible night, going 3-for-4 with a home run, a triple, a double three RBIs and two runs scored. He's also inching closer to an almost unheard-of 40 home runs/40 doubles/40 steals season, which has only been done once in modern baseball history (Alfonso Soriano, 2006).

Reds tie it in the eighth inning against Guardians

The Guardians defense has kind of fallen apart with three errors in two innings.

With a runner on, Santiago Espinal singled up the middle. What appeared to be a routine play turned into disaster, as Lane Thomas bobbled the ball in center field, allowing Jake Fraley to score, tying it 2-2.

Reds, TJ Friedl break up perfect game with a bunt in the seventh inning

Oof. That's one way to break up a perfect game, but there are a lot of people around the league who won't like it.

Leading off the seventh inning with Tim Herrin on the mound, TJ Friedl laid down a bunt that went for a single, as he beat the throw from Herrin, who came off the mound but couldn't get there in time.

Herrin then tried to pick Friedl off at first base but threw it away. Friedl then scored on a ground ball hit to shortstop Brayan Rocchio, as the throw got away from first baseman Josh Naylor, making it 2-1.

Eli Morgan has 1-2-3 sixth; Guardians have perfect game going through six innings

The Guardians are nine outs away from a perfect game. Eli Morgan threw a quick sixth, and the bullpen is cruising tonight.

Guardians bullpen perfect through five innings; perfect game bid in place

The Guardians bullpen has faced 15 hitters, and they've sat down 15 hitters in order thus far.

Andrew Walters (1 2/3 innings), Erik Sabrowski (1 1/3 innings), Cade Smith (1 inning) and Eli Morgan (1 inning) have combined to throw five perfect innings thus far.

Alex Cobb and Joey Cantillo also had perfect game bids within the last few weeks.

Josh Naylor, Jose Ramirez extend Guardians lead in fourth inning

Jose Ramirez drilled a triple off the wall in right field and came around to score via Josh Naylor's RBI single, giving the Guardians a 2-0 lead.

The Yankees are currently losing to the Orioles 3-0. A Guardians win combined with a Yankees loss would bring the No. 1 seed for Cleveland into focus a bit more.

Andrew Walters breaks Guardians franchise record for scoreless appearances

Andrew Walters started tonight's game as an opener, recording the first five outs of the game and retiring all five batters he faced. It was his eighth consecutive scoreless appearance to begin his career, breaking a club record.

Steven Kwan hits leadoff home run; Guardians, Reds score update

Well that was quick.

Steven Kwan, in his first at-bat since being activated off the injured list, hit a solo home run to lead off the first inning, giving the Guardians a quick 1-0 lead.

That's home run No. 14 for the season for Kwan.

Below is some pregame information.

Steven Kwan injury update: All-Star outfielder activated off injured list, Myles Straw optioned to Triple-A

Steven Kwan is back after missing a couple weeks with back soreness. Myles Straw has been sent back to Triple-A, but he will be eligible to be added to the postseason roster.

Guardians clinch spot in 2024 playoffs, AL Central

The Guardians clinched their spot in the playoffs Thursday and then secured the American League Central crown over the weekend in St. Louis.

It's the first calendar year since 1995 in which all three major Cleveland sports teams will play a playoff game.

Emmanuel Clase Cy Young case, odds

Guardians teammates have begun to lobby for Emmanuel Clase to be considered for the American League Cy Young Award, which hasn't gone to a reliever since 2003.

Lane Thomas heating up with Guardians

With his dad's help as a former race car driver, Lane Thomas is finding his way with the Guardians. Thomas also spoke with the Beacon Journal about his renewed approach on attacking fastballs, which unlocked his sizzling September.

Sam Hentges to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery

Sam Hentges' 2024 season is finished, and his entire 2025 season is also in jeopardy.

Jose Ramirez has 30/30 season in 2024

Jose Ramirez became the first Cleveland hitter in franchise history with multiple 30/30 seasons.

Watch: Machine Gun Kelly throws out first pitch at Guardians-Cubs game

MGK tossed the ceremonial first pitch recently, but he did so in an interesting manner that was anything but traditional.

Jhonkensy Noel's renewed approach on putting the ball in play has led to breakout 2024 season

Jhonkensy Noel knows he has the power. It took a new focus on contact and mobility to lead to his great rookie season thus far.

Guardians name CC Sabathia to team Hall-of-Fame

CC Sabathia is now in the Guardians' Hall-of-Fame, and he offered a two-part message to Cleveland fans.

Guardians No. 1 overall draft pick Travis Bazzana meets Jose Ramirez, wants to grow the game in Australia

It all finally sank in for Travis Bazzana, the top overall draft pick in the draft, when he stepped onto the field at Progressive Field and met Jose Ramirez and others.

Cleveland Guardians 2025 schedule

Major League Baseball released the 2025 schedules.

2024 National Sports Card Convention comes to Cleveland

The National Sports Card Convention was in Cleveland recently. We broke down how we'd spend $100, ranked the most mind-blowing items we could find and listed the top collectibles for under $50.

How can I watch, listen or stream the Cleveland Guardians game today?

Today's game will be televised on Bally Sports. It'll be broadcast on the radio by WTAM (1100-AM) and WMMS (100.7-FM).

Guardians schedule

The Guardians wrap up their 2024 regular season this week at Progressive Field. They'll play the Reds Tuesday and Wednesday before welcoming the Houston Astros for a weekend series.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians score today vs. Cincinnati Reds