14 more days and then the MLB Regular Season 2018 is over. Until then, there are still some decisions to be made. So far only two teams are safe in the playoffs, the remaining spots are still more or less open. SPOX gives an overview.
Before we go into medias res, briefly an important explanation: In this text the term “Magic Number” or “Elimination Number” will be mentioned more frequently. But what does this mean?
The “Magic Number” is the combination of own victories and defeats of the pursuers, which leads to the fact that a respective team wins its division or even the wildcard. The elimination number, on the other hand, is the same only from the pursuer’s point of view, who is eliminated by the division or wildcard if the leading team loses and wins.
The exact formula for this magic number is this: G + 1 – W(a) – L(b).
In the American League there is a very vivid example of the Magic/Elimination Number. The Boston Red Sox (103-47) lead 11.5 games ahead of the New York Yankees (91-58), which is why the Magic Number is 2 (162 +1 – 103 – 58 = 2).
Now the Yankees will receive the Red Sox from Tuesday to Thursday in a three-game series in the Bronx (all matches live on DAZN). And if the Red Sox win any of these games, they would have automatically won the AL East, because a victory on their part would also be a bankruptcy of New York, which would have given us Combination 2.
The Yankees want to prevent this at all costs, of course, as they don’t want to see their arch-rivals celebrating on their own field. But the Bronx Bombers aren’t exactly in parade form.
On the contrary: New York lost four of the last six games. What’s more, they recently lost two series against teams that act beyond good and evil. Against the Minnesota Twins, there were two bankruptcies during the week after eleven victories in a row against them. And then also the weekend series against the Toronto Blue Jays was lost after a strong first game on Friday with 1-2.
The Yankees are still waiting for a full return of Aaron Judge, who can already participate again in general.
The Red Sox, on the other hand, lost the series to the New York Mets with 1-2, but won seven of the last ten and are only anxious to bring all top performers into the playoffs in good health. That’s why MVP candidate Mookie Betts left the field early on Sunday for caution, while Ace Chris Sale is slowly being led forward after his latest injury, with a total of four innings in his last two starts.
At the end of the day, however, the mass in the East has been read. The Red Sox are taking this home.
What can you say? Essentially, it seemed clear months ago that the Indians would march unrivalled into the playoffs. They now sealed this impression with a 15-0 win over Detroit and completed the division title at the weekend.
In tabular terms, they are just 15 games ahead of Minnesota, but are the worst play-off team in balance sheet terms with just 83 victories. But if they get Pitcher Trevor Bauer back to the playoffs, they may also be the most dangerous team, because “Fixer” Andrew Miller is back again. Jose Ramirez and Francisco Lindor are two MVP candidates and Corey Kluber is a Cy-Young candidate.
In the West, the picture is now quite clear. The Houston Astros have their lineup back almost completely healthy and with it their dominance. They lead the Oakland A’s with 4.5 games and their Magic Number is 9.
The A’s have lost two of their last three games in Tampa Bay and are beginning to feel the numerous notable losses in their rotation. Behind them the Seattle Mariners have only theoretical chances (Elimination Number: 2) on the West Crown.
A total of four teams still have a mathematical chance of entering the playoffs via the second educational path.
The Yankees are still leading the A’s with 1.5 games. The latter, however, significantly shortened the gap of 6 games. The “winner” of this duel will have home rights in the wildcard game at the beginning of October.
With 7 games behind the A’s the Rays have only theoretical chances for the playoffs. The same applies to the Mariners (7.5 games behind). Your e-numbers are 7 and 6, respectively, so both could be eliminated this week.
Page 1: Magic Number and the American League
Page 2: National League West and the battle for the first pick