There's only one week left of baseball, that's about 10 days to be exact. Check out the magic numbers for the top teams in each division as the Los Angeles Dodgers were the first to clinch a playoff spot on Thursday. So the Dodgers' magic number is now 0 and five other teams are trying to match this magic number as well.
Boston Red Sox: Magic Number 1
The Red Sox are playing the right way at the right time. They are already in the playoffs, having eliminated everybody but the Tampa Bay Rays. On Friday, as they get set to host the Toronto Blue Jays, the Red Sox can shut down any possibility of the Rays taking the division. Boston is one win away or one Rays' loss away from clinching the division and earning the first playoff spot in the American League. Every game won matters for the Red Sox because they have a chance to finish first in the A.L., which will give them home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Atlanta Braves: Magic Number 2
Their victory over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday was huge since it prevented the Braves from getting swept and trimmed their magic number in half. The Braves will play the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The Braves have not played well on the road. This series might not go their way if that trend contines. Finishing with the best record in the N.L. is in their best interest and putting the division away is also up there on their to-do list.
Oakland A's/Detroit Tigers: Magic Numbers 4
Both of these teams have the same magic number entering the weekend. The Athletics have done a great job shutting down the Texas Rangers after the two fought back and forth for the A.L. West. The Athletics are far from secure, but they only have to won four games. Aiding the A's efforts are the struggling Rangers who have only won two of their last 10 games.
As for the Tigers, this team deserves a lot of props for staying in first place and dominating the division. The Cleveland Indians were always on their backs, but after a four-game series back in August, the Tigers took control and never took their foot off the pedal.
St. Louis Cardinals: Magic Number 9
It doesn't matter how you win as long as you win. That saying would have to get changed for the Cardinals in 2013. It doesn't matter when you clinch, but how you clinch. It might take them a while to take the Central, but they will do it. The Cincinnati Reds are still alive and well, but the Cardinals have been the better team all year long. The Pittsburgh Pirates are right behind them, but the Cardinals will get some help as the Pirates and Reds face off six times in the next 10 days. This should give us an idea of what will happen in the division.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Magic Number 0
With a 7-6 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Dodgers took their magic number from two to zero.
