Braves magic number, explained: Atlanta closes in on a playoff spot (UPDATED TODAY)
By Mark Powell
The Atlanta Braves are in a tight race with the New York Mets in the NL East. At this point in the season, it’s anyone’s division.
The Braves have been red-hot since May, overcoming what once looked like an insurmountable NL East deficit.
At the very least, Atlanta is due a spot in the NL Wild Card, but they’d much rather take the East instead and receive a guaranteed spot in the NLDS.
Trade deadline acquisitions by Alex Anthopoulos, as well as some timely call-ups (hint: Michael Harris II) have made this Braves season a memorable one. With Ronald Acuña and Ozzie Albies nearing full strength, anything is possible.
What is a MLB magic number?
The following, per FanSided’s Noah Yingling, explains a magic number perfectly:
“Each MLB team has a “magic number” for the playoffs. It is the number of games needed until a team clinches a playoff spot or their division. For each win the team has, one number is knocked off. For each loss that their opponent in the Wild Card and/or division has, one number is also knocked off.”
What is the Braves magic number?
Atlanta technically has two magic numbers at the moment — one to clinch a playoff spot via the NL Wild Card, and another to clinch the NL East.
- Braves magic number to make the playoffs: 10
- Braves magic number to win NL East is not in play, as they face a deficit.
At this point, it would take a surprising turn of events for Atlanta not to make the postseason at all. They have a huge advantage on the Milwaukee Brewers, who are the only team with an outside chance to make the NL Wild Card besides the Padres and Phillies, who sit in the second and third spots.