MLB magic numbers were trimmed and shaved on Tuesday. Well, for the most part. Every first-place team but the Atlanta Braves were able to do something positive about their magic numbers and playoff runs. Nobody had more success on Tuesday than the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Boston Red Sox could not take matters into their own hands, so they relied on a little outside help from the Texas Rangers. Here are the magic numbers as of Wednesday morning.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Dos!
With a whopping victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks' best pitcher, Patrick Corbin, the Dodgers cruised to a 9-3 victory. The win helped them trim their magic number in half as the D'Backs are the only team alive in the N.L. West. Win today and the Dodgers can truly begin gearing up for the 2013 playoffs.
Atlanta Braves: Still Cuatro
No, this is not the name of a new Gillette razor. The Braves' magic number is still four as they lost both games on Tuesday. It looked as though Game 1 would be theirs, but Craig Kimbrel was wild and the Braves' infield played like a little league ball club late in the game. The Braves' lead was exactly twice as big a month ago as it is coming into Wednesday's action. The Washington Nationals are eight games back and though the lead seems comfortable, the Braves are struggling and they have blown leads in the standing before. If the Braves win today, their magic number goes down to two. It's a really bad time to be a Braves fan.
St. Louis Cardinals: Magic Number- A Lot
The Cardinals still have a long way to go. However, they are taking a step in the right direction after their win on Tuesday. The Cardinals defeated the Colorado Rockies 11-4 and, entering Wednesday, they are in sole possession of first place in the N.L. Central division. The Pittsburgh Pirates were once again topped by the San Diego Padres, who are making playoff teams' life impossible now in September.
Boston Red Sox: Tres
The Boston Red Sox are in a good place. This goes to show that with a little luck a team can go far. Though they lost to the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday, the Red Sox were still able to make ground in the A.L. East. Their magic number trimmed by one after the Texas Rangers whooped the Tampa Bay Rays behind Ian Kinsler's and Elvis Andrus' bats. Though they lost, the Red Sox are looking good heading into the final games of the month. They are still the hottest team in their division.
Oakland Athletics & Detroit Tigers: Six
Though second place teams in the A.L. West and Central divisions won on Tuesday, the first place teams, Athletics and Tigers, were able to take matters into their own hands after defeating their foes. The A's played a tight one against the Los Angeles Angels, winning 2-1, while the Tigers provided pop behind Anibal Sanchez, who cruised to a 6-2 victory against the Seattle Mariners.
