MLB Magic numbers took a chop as the Atlanta Braves officially became the N.L. East champions. With their magic number at 1, they did not have to win on Sunday to win their 17th division title. With the clinch, the Braves joined the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox, who have also won their divisions, gaining entracnce into the 2013 playoffs.
With their game in the top of the sixth against the Chicago Cubs, the Braves handed out hugs after seeing the scoreboard change to a finale in Washington. The Nationals lost 4-2 to the Miami Marlins, getting the Braves' magic number from one to zero. The Braves won the division for the first time since 2005.
The Red Sox took their division on Saturday with a 5-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. The A.L. East has plenty of candidates still alive in the Wild Card race, but the Red Sox made sure to lock up the division. The Red Sox are back in the playoffs after a disappointing 2012 season. They missed the playoffs in 2011 after an embarrassing month of September and Bobby Valentine could not get the team to win in 2012.
The Dodgers and Red Sox made a huge blockbuster deal that changed the fate of both teams. The Dodgers struggled in 2013, but after Yasiel Puig's presence, they began winning and eventually, locked up the N.L. West on Thursday afternoon. The trade bolstered their lineup and now their moves are all paying off.
Still Needing Magic
The Oakland Athletics' magic number is one as we speak. They look ready to take the division as they are facing the Minnesota Twins. The Texas Rangers are locked in a pitchers' duel as they are tied 0-0 against the Kansas City Royals
The Detroit Tigers' magic number is two. The Cleveland Indians have tried their best to hang in the A.L. Central, but the Tigers only need two wins, two Indian losses or a victory combined with an Indians' loss.
The toughest division yet, the N.L. Central, still has a logn way to go as the St. Louis Cardinals' magic number is now six. The Pittsburgh Pirates are hanging in there and the Cincinnati Reds are just a game behind the Pirates in the standings.
