Magic Number Is Looming for MLB Teams – September 22

After last night’s 49ers domination of the Giants in an NFC showdown, we’re thinking about baseball and the magic number today. The magic number is on the minds of several MLB teams as they head into their weekend series. Teams like the Braves and Dodgers in the NL and the Rays and Orioles in the AL aren’t worried about a magic number. They have already clinched a playoff spot.

There are also five teams in the AL and three more in the NL who have already been mathematically eliminated from the postseason. There are a few more whose offseason is going to start early. The New York Yankees, for example, have a magic number of three. If they lose three more games, they will be eliminated from the postseason. So, what is this magic number and how does it work?

MLB’s Magic Number

If you don’t truly understand the magic number in baseball, here’s what it is. The magic number is the number of victories an MLB team needs, in conjunction with the number of losses by competitors, to make the playoffs. For example, the Toronto Blue Jays are in third place in the AL East Division. It is clear that the Orioles and Rays are going to occupy the top two spots with one team entering the playoffs as the division winner and the other as the AL’s top wild card. 

The Blue Jays can still make the playoffs. Currently, Toronto leads the Rangers and Mariners by a half-game for the No. 2 AL wild card spot. The Blue Jays magic number right now is 10. They only have 9 games left, which means they need some help from the Rangers and Mariners. That help would be in the form of losses by either or both teams. As of today, any combination of 10 Blue Jays wins and losses by teams competing for the wild card will decrease Toronto’s magic number. It also gets them closer to a playoff berth.

Money Was Made on Yesterday’s Leaderboard

Sports Hub handicappers were straight up killing it yesterday. The top-6 cappers on the board all won at least $300! Of the top-50 on the leaderboard, 41 made money with all of them making at least $50. It was a great day for our experts who will look to carry that over into the weekend. 

To get you ready for the weekend, don’t forget to check out our Week 4 NCAA football picks page. It’s full of everything you need to bet on Saturday’s college football games. Then, you can check out the Week 3 NFL picks page, which offers the same breakdown, analysis, and picks for Sunday’s NFL games. You can also visit the members’ area where you’ll find all of our great handicappers. Speaking of…

Let’s check out yesterday’s leaderboard.

• Living the dream: Mike Kelly was running numbers in Vegas in the ‘90s. Now, he’s running to the bank with his $667 that he won yesterday. Mike hit on 8 of 10 picks. That gives him a winning percentage of 59.15 percent over the last 30 days. Check him out this weekend. He’s already got a bunch of CFB and NFL picks in the system.
• Scott’s Picks: Scott’s magic number was three, as in three wins on three MLB picks last night. With bets on underdogs the Yankees and Pirates, Scott’s Picks took home $404!
• Another Scott: Scott of SWJ Sports pulled off another great day at the ticket window. He hit 5 of 6 picks to win $385. Scott hit four of five player props on last night’s NFL game. He also hit on the 49ers who covered the spread with a 30-12 victory.
• Trio of Sports Hub experts: Ben Miller, Ross Walker, and Jimmy Liu all went 3-0 yesterday. Ben won $360 and Ross and Jimmy each pocketed $300 for their efforts. With MLB teams trying to hit their magic number, you should be tailing Ben Miller through the rest of the season and the postseason. He’s Sports Hub’s No. 1-ranked MLB handicapper.

Yes, Sportswashing Is Real

Sportswashing? Yes, you learn something every day here at Sports Hub. I always bring you the top trending news from the sports world. Staying on top of what’s happening out there could potentially lead you to more betting wins and that’s what we’re all about here. Christian McCaffrey is about winning too as we’ll see in a moment.

Here’s what is trending in sports today.

• MLB magic number: With just 10 games remaining for teams, there are still several battles for a playoff spot. A few other teams are just waiting to be mathematically eliminated from the postseason. The Minnesota Twins have the lowest magic number currently. With a win over the Los Angeles Angels tonight, the Twins will clinch the AL Central Division and the playoff spot that goes with it.
• Mr. Touchdown: Christian McCaffrey did it again. The 49ers RB tied Hall of Famer Jerry Rice for the most consecutive Niners’ games with a touchdown. McCaffrey carried 18 times last night for 85 yards and a touchdown. It was the 12th straight game in which McCaffrey has scored.

• Another NFL injury: Dallas CB Trevon Diggs suffered an ACL injury to his left knee in Thursday’s practice. He’ll have surgery and miss the rest of the season. It’s a huge blow to what is currently the NFL’s best defense. Since entering the league in 2020, Diggs has 18 interceptions, which is tied for the most with Chargers CB J.C. Jackson.
• Sportswashing: If you didn’t know, sportswashing is using sports to improve a reputation. The Saudi government is using the concept to try and gain standing around the world. There is the LIV golf tour and the Saudi Pro League (soccer). Through Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, it is reported that $1 billion was spent to bring players like Neymar to the Saudi Pro League. 

Quest for the Magic Number Is on Today 

MLB teams will be seeking to impact their magic number today as they begin their weekend series. There is some great college football on tap tonight and the NHL actually gets started with a late-night puck drop for its first preseason game. All of this will lead us into a glorious Saturday filled with our favorite – college football!

Here’s what we have going on today.

1. MLB & the magic number: Only 10 games remain in the 2023 MLB season. Seattle and Texas begin a crucial weekend series that will determine who makes the playoffs and who doesn’t. Both teams have a magic number of 11. With only 10 games left, that means both teams need some help.
2. NCAA football: How about some Friday night college football conference matchups? We get a Big Ten clash in West Lafayette when Wisconsin faces Purdue. The ACC gives us NC State at Virginia. Two Mountain West games are tonight – Boise State at San Diego State and Air Force at San Jose State. No magic number. Just straight up college football!
3. NHL preseason: After a long offseason, the NHL is back. The puck drops at 11:59 p.m. tonight in Arizona where the Coyotes host the Los Angeles Kings. And just like that, the NHL preseason begins.

4. Week 16 CFL: Up in Canada, Week 16 of the 2023 season begins with a Friday night doubleheader. Saskatchewan is at Ottawa and BC plays at Edmonton. The Elks (4-10) have won three of their last four games.
5. LPGA: The Solheim Cup begins today in Andalusia, Spain. It’s the USA against Europe. The first team to 14.5 points is the winner. 
6. Soccer: If you want to call it a slow day in soccer, okay. There is one match in La Liga, one in Bundesliga, two in Serie A, and so on. There are one or two matches in several of the world’s professional leagues. Check the Sports Hub members’ area for soccer picks.

It’s a solid day on the sports schedule and one that leads us into another beautiful football weekend. The weekend will also offer some intrigue in the form of the MLB playoff race. A few teams can hit their magic number and qualify for the postseason or be eliminated altogether. Stop back tomorrow for a recap of our SportsHub handicappers and their performance today. I’ll also give you an idea of the best college football games tomorrow and encourage you to take a look at all of the NCAA football picks we’ll have available. See you tomorrow!