As of Right Now (Dodgers game still in progress), here are the magic numbers for clinching over different teams:

 

Phillies: 7

Cubs: 6

Dodgers: 6

Arizona: 3

Montreal: 2

St Louis: 2

 

With a win tomorrow, the # over the Phils will be 6. That will give us a chance to win the wild card on Thursday if we sweep.

Not if the Cubs and Dodgers keep winning.

 

We could eliminate Philly though.

Can someone please explain to me how this works. and what it means.

 

 

I've been watching baseball for a long time but i dont get it.

The Marlins magic number to eliminate Philly is 7. So, any combination of Marlins wins and/or Phillies losses that add up to 7 means they're eliminated. It drops one when we win, drops one if they lose...and it can't get higher.

(Other teams wins + Other teams' remaining games) - Leader's wins + 1

I get it now i think

 

thanks guys.

Not if the Cubs and Dodgers keep winning.

 

We could eliminate Philly though.

Well, Philly would be done. We'd lower the others by 4 at least if we clinch over Philly on Thursday, So if the Dodgers lose today and once more couple with two Cub losses before or on Thursday and its over. So I like our chances of clinching Thursday or Friday

While our magic number over Montreal and St. Louis is 2, they've both been eliminated from the Wild Card race. Since the Phillies and us both have 85 wins now, and since we play 3 games against Philly, either us or the Phillies will get at least 87 wins. The most the Expos and Cards can win is 86 games. They can catch either us or Philly, but not both.

 

Same thing with Arizona - the best they can do is tie.

 

We need to get to 90 wins, with 2 of the wins against Philly. That would eliminate everybody except the Cubs/Astros and the Dodgers and they'd have to win out just to tie.

Not taking into account the Dodgers (losing right now to SD 6-0) and the Astros (who if they lose will re-enter the race because they will be tied with the Cubs), here are the updated magic numbers after the fine win today:

 

Phillies: 6

Cubs: 5

Dodgers: 5

Arizona: 2

Montreal: 1

St Louis: 1

 

How sweet it is.

At the beginning of the season, how many people thought we'd be talking about eliminating St. Louis in a game?

At the beginning of the season, how many people thought we'd be talking about eliminating St. Louis in a game?

St. Louis was eliminated from the Wild Card Saturday. They can't catch both us and the Phillies.

The Astros lost, so now it has to look like this:

 

Phillies: 6

Astros: 5

Cubs: 5

Dodgers: 5

Arizona: 2

Montreal: 1

St Louis: 1

Montreal and St Louis are ALREADY eliminated...

 

dont you read what 83Gator writes?

Montreal and St Louis are ALREADY eliminated...

 

dont you read what 83Gator writes?

But there is still a magic number for some funny reason. They'll both be gone from the list by tonight anyways.

 

(BTW, LA lost so here it is going into tomorrow's action)

 

Phillies: 6

Astros: 5

Cubs: 5

Dodgers: 4

Arizona: 2

Montreal: 1

St Louis: 1

Going into Wednesday's game (hope to see some of you there!):

 

Philadelphia: 4

Houston: 3

Dodgers: 3

We sweep Philly, it is over. All we really have to do is win one more against Philly and then take the series against the Mets - but we could even win only 1 game and still have a chance. The Phils take on the Braves next - who are fighting for home field advantage with the Giants.

 

Also, why are we slated to play the Giants? Isnt the WC team supposed to play the team with the best record? If the Braves pass the Giants, and it could happen, wouldnt we end up playing the Braves in the first round? I would actually prefer that. :cool

We sweep Philly, it is over. All we really have to do is win one more against Philly and then take the series against the Mets - but we could even win only 1 game and still have a chance. The Phils take on the Braves next - who are fighting for home field advantage with the Giants.

 

Also, why are we slated to play the Giants? Isnt the WC team supposed to play the team with the best record? If the Braves pass the Giants, and it could happen, wouldnt we end up playing the Braves in the first round? I would actually prefer that. :cool

My understanding is that WC winner is never to play their own division winners on the first round. I guess, some kind of rule

We sweep Philly, it is over. All we really have to do is win one more against Philly and then take the series against the Mets - but we could even win only 1 game and still have a chance. The Phils take on the Braves next - who are fighting for home field advantage with the Giants.

 

Also, why are we slated to play the Giants? Isnt the WC team supposed to play the team with the best record? If the Braves pass the Giants, and it could happen, wouldnt we end up playing the Braves in the first round? I would actually prefer that. :cool

My understanding is that WC winner is never to play their own division winners on the first round. I guess, some kind of rule You are correct. Wild Card teams are not allowed to play teams from their own division in the first round.

We could clinch tommorow! Magic number=2

The magic number is now 2 over the Phillies, Astros, and Dodgers. The Dodgers still have yet to play tonight at San Diego.

The Marlins can clinch the Wild Card tomorrow if:

1. they beat the Phillies

2. the astros lose tomorrow

AND

3. the dodgers lose either tonight or tomorrow.