MLB Magic Numbers

With only two weeks remaining in the regular season, many teams have reduced their magic numbers to single digits.  All of last week’s division leaders have held their top spots, and the only real races remaining seem to be for the Wild Card spots.

Last weekend, the Philadelphia Phillies had whittled their magic number down to a league low 9 games.  But, taking a look at the standings today, the Detroit Tigers now only have to win 1 more game to clinch the American League Central.  This is 1 better than the Phillies magic number of 2.

A 12 game winning streak coupled with the fall of the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox has propelled the Tigers to within one game of the division title.

While not quite as hot as the Tigers, the Phillies have nearly kept pace.  Philadelphia currently only needs to win 2 of their remaining 14 games to clinch the National League East.

The Milwaukee Brewers and Arizona Diamondbacks have also lowered their magic numbers to single digits and appear set to stroll into postseason play.

The New York Yankees and Texas Rangers are the only clubs left in semi-close races for their divisions.  Both of their magic numbers are currently set at 10.

New York has done all that it can to keep the Red Sox in the hunt for the AL East crown, but Boston has tanked of late, going 2-8 over their last 10.  This has opened the door for the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Wild Card race.  With their win last night, Tampa Bay moved within 3 games of the Red Sox.

The Rangers and the LA Angels are in what seems to be the last remaining division race.  LA has trimmed Texas’s lead to 3.5 games and wraps up the regular season with a 3 game set against the Rangers.

Here’s each of the division leader’s magic numbers followed by the games they have remaining this season.

New York Yankees – 10 : 14

Detroit Tigers – 1 : 12

Texas Rangers – 10 : 12

Philadelphia Phillies – 2 : 14

Milwaukee Brewers – 8 : 12

Arizona Diamondbacks – 6 : 12