-----UPDATE------
Check out article with new Magic Numbers for all teams at top of playoff races
Yankees', Rangers' and Braves' Magic Numbers Reduced After Monday Games
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The Texas Rangers and Atlanta Braves won on Sunday and decreased their magic numbers as they inched closer to a playoff berth as they both look to earn spots in the 2012 MLB postseason.
For the Rangers, they are trying to close the book on the Oakland Athletics and the Los Angeles Angels. These two teams have made late runs in the season and threatened the Rangers' chances of clinching the AL West.
The Rangers' current magic number is seven and they could clinch as soon as Thursday if they can sweep the A's in the four-game series.
It will be a very important series as the Rangers, if swept, could be in a tie in the AL West. The A's are trailing the Rangers by four games in the division. Making things even more interesting is the fact that the two teams also face each other in the last week of baseball, so the Rangers are far from done in their division.
Every Rangers' win against the A's will reduce the magic number by two. Every A's win against the Rangers will decrease their deficit in the standings by one game. It should be a good final week of baseball out west.
Flying to the Southeast now, the Atlanta Braves' magic number is two after winning their weekend series against Philadelphia Phillies.
Without a doubt, these are not the same Braves from 2011 that lost the Wild Card spot to the St. Louis Cardinals at the end of the season.
The Braves' great young pitching has led them to an 88-65 record so far, good for second in the NL East behind the surprising Washington Nationals. Though they are two games away from clinching a playoff berth, the Braves are 4 1/2 games from the Nationals. Atlanta's schedule features non-threating teams like the New York Mets, Florida Marlins and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Currently in second place in the NL Wild Card are the St. Louis Cardinals, but the Braves own a six-game lead over their possible one-game playoff contenders.
For now, the Braves will attempt to prepare their rotation for playoff competition. Without a doubt, Kris Medlen should be ready to go for the one-game playoff game as he has been the best pitcher in baseball since making his first start of the season back on July 31.
Here are magic numbers for teams around the league.
New York Yankees: 10
Chicago White Sox: 10
Baltimore Orioles: 7 (Top Wild Card)
Oakland A's: 8 (Second WC)
St. Louis Cardinals: 8 (Second WC)
