The Washington Nationals' magic number went down to four after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 8-4 Wednesday night.
The Nationals' magic number would have decreased to three had the Atlanta Braves lost, but they shutout the Miami Marlins 3-0 as their pitching continues to dominate.
The Nationals celebrated a playoff berth last week, but they are still attempting to wrap up the N.L. East division. They hold a four-game lead over the Braves and there are seven games left to play. Any combination of four National wins and Brave losses within the next week gets Washington the NL East title.
The Nationals' magic number will have a chance to decrease Thursday evening as Gio Gonzalez will take the mound.
Gonzalez became the first 20-game winner of the season last week after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers throwing seven scoreless innings.
He has was it takes to guide the Nationals in the postseason. With Stephen Strasburg sitting out, it is difficult to consider him an ace of a staff yet. Gonzalez brought his talents from Oakland and has been one of the best pitchers in 2012.
Opposing him and on the mound for the Philadelphia Phillies is 25-year-old Tyler Cloyd. He has made five starts at the major league level. His two best starts came against the Cincinnati Reds and the New York Mets. He went seven innings and gave up one earned run against the Reds and, last week, he went eight innings against the Mets and just gave up one earned run.
The action starts at 7:05 p.m. ET. The Braves play the Marlins at the same time.
