MLB magic numbers: Braves take NL East; Red Sox in; Rangers, Guardians up 1 game (9/21/26)
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There were two more MLB postseason clinchings Sunday with the Braves winning the NL East and the Red Sox backing up in an AL wild-card berth.
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The Braves wrapped up their seventh division title in nine seasons with a 4-2 win in Houston. Atlanta has a six-game lead and the tiebreaker on the second-place Phillies with six games remaining for both clubs.
The Red Sox lost to the Rays 5-1 in St. Petersburg, Fla., but clinched a postseason berth later in the day when the Astros lost.
With one week to go in regular season, two division races remain tight.
In the AL Central, the Guardians blanked the Athletics 1-0 in Cleveland on Sunday to stay one game up on the White Sox, who slaughtered the Tigers 8-1 in Chicago.
In the AL West, the Rangers remained one game ahead of the Astros despite both clubs losing. The Rangers were 7-2 losers to the Blue Jays in Arlington, Texas.
The Rays’ AL East division lead is six games over the second-place Yankees, who lost 8-4 to the Diamondbacks in Phoenix.
The Rays can clinch the division this week by beating the Yankees one time in four-game series at Yankee Stadium that begins Tuesday with a day-night doubleheader.
The Phillies whacked the Mets 7-2 in New York to stay four games ahead of the Diamondbacks for the last NL wild card. The Phillies also trail the Cubs and Padres by one game for the first and second NL wild cards.
The Cubs hold the first wild card because they have the tiebreaker over the Padres.
AL EASTTAMPA BAY RAYS (95-60)
Standings: First in AL East. Lead second-place Yankees by 6 games.
Tiebreakers: Rays lead season series with Yankees 6-3;
Magic number to clinch AL East: 2
Magic number to clinch playoffs: Clinched Sept. 11.
Games remaining: 7 (0 home, 7 road).
Rays schedule:
Tuesday, Sept. 22: at Yankees, 1:05 p.m., ET
Tuesday, Sept. 22: at Yankees, 7:05 p.m., ET
Wednesday, Sept. 23: at Yankees, 7:05 p.m., ET
Thursday, Sept. 24: at Yankees, 7:05 p.m., ET
Friday, Sept. 25: at Phillies, 6:40 p.m., ET
Saturday, Sept. 26: at Phillies, 7:15 p.m., ET
Sunday, Sept. 27: at Phillies, 3:05 p.m., ET
NEW YORK YANKEES (89-66)
Standings: Second in AL East. Trail first-place Rays by 6 games. First in AL wild-card standings. Lead Red Sox by 5.5 games for first AL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Yankees trail season series with Rays 6-3; Yankees won season series Red Sox 7-6.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: Clinched Sept. 14.
Games remaining: 7 (7 home, 0 road).
Yankees schedule:
Tuesday, Sept. 22: Rays, 1:05 p.m., ET
Tuesday, Sept. 22: Rays, 7:05 p.m., ET
Wednesday, Sept. 23: Rays, 7:05 p.m., ET
Thursday, Sept. 24: Rays, 7:05 p.m., ET
Friday, Sept. 25: Orioles, 7:05 p.m., ET
Saturday, Sept. 26: Orioles, 7:15 p.m., ET
Sunday, Sept. 27: Orioles, 3:20 p.m., ET
BOSTON RED SOX (84-72)
Standings: Third in AL East. Trail first-place Rays by 11.5 games. Second in AL wild-card standings. Trail Yankees by 5.5 games for first AL wild card. Lead White Sox by 4 games for second AL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Red Sox lost season series with Yankees 7-6.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: Clinched Sept. 20.
Games remaining: 6 (6 home, 0 road).
Red Sox schedule:
Tuesday, Sept. 22: Guardians, 6:45 p.m., ET
Wednesday, Sept. 23: Guardians, 7:10 p.m., ET
Thursday, Sept. 24: Guardians, 6:45 p.m., ET
Friday, Sept. 25: Cubs, 7:10 p.m., ET
Saturday, Sept. 26: Cubs, 7:15 p.m., ET
Sunday, Sept. 27: Cubs, 3:05 p.m., ET
TORONTO BLUE JAYS (77-79)
Standings: Fourth in AL East. Trail first-place Rays by 18.5 games. Tied with Astros for fourth in AL wild-card standings. Trail White Sox by 3 games for third AL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Blue Jays lost season series with White Sox 5-1; Blue Jays split season series with Astros 3-3; Blue Jays won season series with Guardians 4-2; Blue Jays lost season series with Rangers 6-1.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 5
Games remaining: 6 (3 home, 3 road).
Blue Jays schedule:
Monday, Sept. 21: at Orioles, 6:35 p.m., ET
Tuesday, Sept. 22: at Orioles, 6:35 p.m., ET
Wednesday, Sept. 23: at Orioles, 6:35 p.m., ET
Friday, Sept. 25: Reds, 7:07 p.m., ET
Saturday, Sept. 26: Reds, 3:07 p.m., ET
Sunday, Sept. 27: Reds, 3:07 p.m., ET
AL CENTRALCLEVELAND GUARDIANS (81-75)
Standings: First in AL Central. Lead second-place White Sox by 1 game.
Tiebreakers: Guardians lost season series with Blue Jays 4-2; Guardians lost season series with Rangers 4-2; Guardians trail season series with Red Sox 2-1; Guardians lost season series with White Sox 7-6.
Magic number to clinch AL Central: 6
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 3
Remaining games: 6 (0 home, 6 road).
Guardians schedule:
Tuesday, Sept. 22: at Red Sox, 6:45 p.m., ET
Wednesday, Sept. 23: at Red Sox, 7:10 p.m., ET
Thursday, Sept. 24: at Red Sox, 6:45 p.m., ET
Friday, Sept. 25: at Royals, 7:40 p.m., ET
Saturday, Sept. 26: at Royals, 7:10 p.m., ET
Sunday, Sept. 27: at Royals, 3:10 p.m., ET
CHICAGO WHITE SOX (80-76)
Standings: Second in AL Central. Trail first-place Guardians by 1 game. Third in AL wild-card standings. Lead Astros and Blue Jays by 3 games for third AL wild card.
Tiebreakers: White Sox lost season series with Astros 4-2; White Sox won season series with Blue Jays 5-1; White Sox won season series with Guardians 7-6; White Sox won season series with Rangers 4-2.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 4
Remaining games: 6 (3 home, 3 road).
White Sox schedule:
Tuesday, Sept. 22: at Royals, 7:10 p.m., ET
Wednesday, Sept. 23: at Royals, 7:40 p.m., ET
Thursday, Sept. 24: at Royals, 2:10 p.m., ET
Friday, Sept. 25: Rockies, 7:40 p.m., ET
Saturday, Sept. 26: Rockies, 7:10 p.m., ET
Sunday, Sept. 27: Rockies, 3:10 p.m., ET
AL WESTTEXAS RANGERS (78-78)
Standings: First in AL West. Lead second-place Astros by 1 game.
Tiebreakers: Rangers lost season series with Astros 9-4; Rangers won season series with Guardians 4-2; Rangers won season series with Blue Jays 6-1.
Magic number to clinch AL West: 6
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 6
Remaining games: 6 (3 home, 3 road).
Rangers schedule:
Tuesday, Sept. 22: Mets, 8:05 p.m., ET
Wednesday, Sept. 23: Mets, 8:05 p.m., ET
Thursday, Sept. 24: Mets, 2:35 p.m., ET
Friday, Sept. 25: at Twins, 8:10 p.m., ET
Saturday, Sept. 26: at Twins, 4:10 p.m., ET
Sunday, Sept. 27: at Twins, 3:10 p.m., ET
HOUSTON ASTROS (77-79)
Standings: Second in AL West. Trail first-place Rangers by 1 game. Tied with Blue Jays for fourth in AL wild-card standings. Trail White Sox by 3 games for third AL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Astros won season series with Rangers 9-4; Astros won season series with White Sox 4-2.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 6
Remaining games: 6 (0 home, 6 road).
Astros schedule:
Tuesday, Sept. 22: at Mariners, 9:40 p.m., ET
Wednesday, Sept. 23: at Mariners, 9:10 p.m., ET
Thursday, Sept. 24: at Athletics, 9:40 p.m., ET
Friday, Sept. 25: at Athletics, 9:40 p.m., ET
Saturday, Sept. 26: at Athletics, 9:40 p.m., ET
Sunday, Sept. 27: at Athletics, 3:05 p.m., ET
NL EASTATLANTA BRAVES (92-64)
Standings: First in NL East. Lead second-place Phillies by 4 games.
Tiebreakers: Braves won season series with Phillies 9-4; Braves won season series with Dodgers 5-1.
Magic number to clinch NL East: Clinched Sept. 20.
Remaining games: 6 (3 home, 3 road)
Braves schedule:
Tuesday, Sept. 22: Reds, 7:15 p.m., ET
Wednesday, Sept. 23: Reds, 7:15 p.m., ET
Thursday, Sept. 24: Reds, 7:15 p.m., ET
Friday, Sept. 25: at Marlins, 7:10 p.m., ET
Saturday, Sept. 26: at Marlins, 4:10 p.m., ET
Sunday, Sept. 27: at Marlins, 3:10 p.m., ET
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (86-76)
Standings: Second in NL East. Trail first-place Braves by 4 games. Third in NL wild-card standings. Trail Cubs and Padres by 1 game for second and second NL wild card. Lead Diamondbacks by 4 games for third NL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Phillies lost season series with Braves 9-4; Phillies lost season series with Cubs 6-1; Phillies split season series with Diamondbacks 3-3; Phillies won season series with Padres 6-0.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 3
Remaining games: 6 (6 home, 0 road).
Phillies schedule:
Tuesday, Sept. 22: Brewers, 6:40 p.m., ET
Wednesday, Sept. 23: Brewers, 6:40 p.m., ET
Thursday, Sept. 24: Brewers, 6:05 p.m., ET
Friday, Sept. 25: Rays, 6:40 p.m., ET
Saturday, Sept. 26: Rays, 7:15 p.m., ET
Sunday, Sept. 27: Rays, 3:05 p.m., ET
NL CENTRALMILWAUKEE BREWERS (98-58)
Standings: First in NL Central. Lead second-place Cubs by 11 games.
Tiebreakers: Brewers won season series with Cubs 9-4; Brewers won season series with Dodgers 4-3.
Magic number to clinch NL Central: Clinched Sept. 15.
Remaining games: 6 (3 home, 3 road).
Brewers schedule:
Tuesday, Sept. 22: at Phillies, 6:40 p.m., ET
Wednesday, Sept. 23: at Phillies, 6:40 p.m., ET
Thursday, Sept. 24: at Phillies, 6:05 p.m., ET
Friday, Sept. 25: Cardinals, 7:40 p.m., ET
Saturday, Sept. 26: Cardinals, 7:10 p.m., ET
Sunday, Sept. 27: Cardinals, 3:10 p.m., ET
CHICAGO CUBS (87-69)
Standings: Second in NL Central. Trail first-place Brewers by 11 games. Tied with Phillies for first in NL wild-card standings. Cubs hold tiebreaker. Lead Diamondbacks by 4 games for third NL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Cubs won season series with Phillies 6-1; Cubs won season series with Padres 5-1; Cubs won season series with Diamondbacks 4-2.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 1
Remaining games: 6 (3 home, 3 road).
Cubs schedule:
Tuesday, Sept. 22: Marlins, 7:40 p.m., ET
Wednesday, Sept. 23: Marlins, 7:40 p.m., ET
Thursday, Sept. 24: Marlins, 2:20 p.m., ET
Friday, Sept. 25: at Red Sox, 7:10 p.m., ET
Saturday, Sept. 26: at Red Sox, 7:15 p.m., ET
Sunday, Sept. 27: at Red Sox, 3:05 p.m., ET
NL WESTLOS ANGELES DODGERS (96-60)
Standings: First in NL West. Lead second-place Padres by 9 games.
Tiebreakers: Dodgers lost season series with Braves 5-1; Dodgers lost season series with Brewers 4-3; Dodgers lead season series with Padres 7-3.
Magic number to clinch NL West: Clinched Sept. 17.
Remaining games: 6 (3 home, 3 road).
Dodgers schedule:
Tuesday, Sept. 22: Padres, 10:10 p.m., ET
Wednesday, Sept. 23: Padres, 10:10 p.m., ET
Thursday, Sept. 24: Padres, 10:10 p.m., ET
Friday, Sept. 25: at Giants, 10:15 p.m., ET
Saturday, Sept. 26: at Giants, 4:05 p.m., ET
Sunday, Sept. 27: at Giants, 3:05 p.m., ET
SAN DIEGO PADRES (87-69)
Standings: Second in NL West. Trail first-place Dodgers by 9 games. Third in NL wild-card standings. Lead Diamondbacks by 4 games for third NL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Season series with Diamondbacks tied 5-5; Padres lost season series with Phillies 6-0; Padres lost season series with Cubs 5-1.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 6
Remaining games: 6 (3 home, 3 road).
Padres schedule:
Tuesday, Sept. 22: at Dodgers, 10:10 p.m., ET
Wednesday, Sept. 23: at Dodgers, 10:10 p.m., ET
Thursday, Sept. 24: at Dodgers, 10:10 p.m., ET
Friday, Sept. 25: Diamondbacks, 9:40 p.m., ET
Saturday, Sept. 26: Diamondbacks, 8:40 p.m., ET
Sunday, Sept. 27: Diamondbacks, 3:10 p.m., ET
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (82-74)
Standings: Third in NL West. Trail first-place Dodgers by 14 games. Fourth in NL wild-card standings. Trail Phillies by 4 games for third NL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Season series with Padres tied 5-5; Diamondbacks split season series with Phillies 3-3; Diamondbacks lost season series with Cubs 4-2.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 3
Remaining games: 6 (0 home, 6 road).
Diamondbacks schedule:
Tuesday, Sept. 22: at Rockies, 7:40 p.m., ET
Wednesday, Sept. 23: at Rockies, 7:40 p.m., ET
Thursday, Sept. 24: at Rockies, 2:10 p.m., ET
Friday, Sept. 25: at Padres, 9:40 p.m., ET
Saturday. Sept. 26: at Padres, 8:40 p.m., ET
Sunday, Sept. 27: at Padres, 3:10 p.m., ET
POSTSEASON MATCHUPSAL WILD CARD SERIES (best-of-3)
Rays (1), Guardians (2) byes
White Sox (6) at Rangers (3)
Red Sox (5) at Yankees (4)
NL WILD CARD SERIES (best-of-3)
Brewers (1), Dodgers (2) byes
Phillies (6) at Braves (3)
Padres (5) at Cubs (4)
Note: Higher seed will host all Wild Card Series games from Sept. 29 through Oct. 1.
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