MLB magic numbers, tiebreakers: Brewers close to clinch; Orioles, Braves, Mariners gain ground (9/15/24)

NEW YORK — Champagne will be on ice soon in Milwaukee.

The Brewers’ magic number for a second NL Central championship in a row and third in four seasons is down to three after their 15-8 win in Arizona and the Cubs’ 6-5, 10-inning loss in Colorado on Saturday night.

The Brewers lead the second-place Cubs by 10 games with 14 play and they also hold the tiebreaker. Milwaukee can wrap up the division as soon as Monday night when they play the Phillies at American Family Field in the opener on a seven-game homestand.

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RESTORING THE GLORY

Elsewhere, Saturday didn’t go well for the two New York teams with the AL East-leading Yankees losing ground to the second-place Orioles and the Mets falling into a tie with the Braves for the last NL wild card.

After three wins in a row, the Yankees were pounced 7-1 by the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees were leading 1-0 until the Red Sox scored three in the fourth after ace Gerrit Cole intentionally walked nemesis Rafael Devers with nobody on and one out while he was pitching a no-hitter.

The Orioles won 4-2 in Detroit to end a two-game losing streak and win for just the second time in six games.

The Mets blew a 4-0 lead and lost 6-4 to the Phillies in a late afternoon game in Philadelphia, then the Braves got a two-double, four-RBI game from Matt Olson in a 10-1 win over the Dodgers in Atlanta.

The NL East-leading Phillies’ lead over the Mets and Braves is eight games. Their magic number for a first division championship since 2011 is seven.

The Twins lost 8-4 to the Reds at home, but maintained their 2.5 game lead for the last AL wild card.

Rookie left-hander Joey Cantillo pitched five shutout innings in the AL Central-leading Guardians’ 6-1 win over the Rays in Cleveland. The Guardians stayed three games ahead of the second-place Royals, who won 5-1 in Pittsburgh to go 2.5 games up on the Twins for the second AL wild card.

The Astros maintained their 4.5-game lead in the AL West over the Mariners, who pulled to within 2.5 games of the Twins for the third AL wild card. The Tigers also are 2.5 games behind Minnesota.

Here’s a look at magic numbers plus tiebreakers and remaining schedules for the contenders through Saturday, Sept. 14, along with playoff matchups if the postseason began on Sept. 15:

AL EAST

NEW YORK YANKEES (86-63)

Standings: First in AL East. Lead second-place Orioles by 2 games.

Tiebreakers: Yankees trail season series with Orioles 6-4; Yankees won season series with Guardians 4-2.

Magic number to clinch AL East: 12

Magic number to clinch playoffs: 4

Games remaining: 13 (7 home, 6 road).

Yankees schedule:

Sept. 15: Red Sox (1)

Sept. 17-19: at Mariners (3)

Sept. 20-22: at Athletics (3)

Sept. 24-26: Orioles (3)

Sept. 27-29: Pirates (3)

BALTIMORE ORIOLES (84-65)

Standings: First in AL East. Trail first-place Yankees by 2 games. First in AL wild-card standings. Lead Mariners and Tigers by 8 games for third AL wild card.

Tiebreakers: Orioles lead season series with Yankees 6-4; Orioles lost season series with Guardians 4-3.

Magic number to clinch playoffs: 6

Games remaining: 13 (6 home, 7 road).

Orioles schedule:

Sept. 15: at Tigers (1)

Sept. 17-19: Giants (3)

Sept. 20-22: Tigers (3)

Sept. 24-26: at Yankees (3)

Sept. 27-29: at Twins (3)

BOSTON RED SOX (75-74)

Standings: Third in AL East. Trail first-place Yankees by 11 games. Sixth in AL wild-card standings. Trail Twins by 3.5 games for third AL wild card.

Tiebreakers: Red Sox won season series with Mariners 4-3. Red Sox trail season series with Twins 2-1; Red Sox won season series with Royals 4-2; Red Sox lost season series with Tigers 4-3.

Magic number for playoffs elimination: 11

Games remaining: 13 (6 home, 7 road).

Red Sox schedule:

Sept. 15: at Yankees (1)

Sept. 17-19: at Rays (3)

Sept. 20-22: Twins (3)

Sept. 23-25: at Blue Jays (3)

Sept. 27-29: Rays (3)

TAMPA BAY RAYS (73-76)

Standings: Fourth in AL East. Trail first-place Yankees by 13 games. Seventh in AL wild-card standings. Trail Twins by 5.5 games for third AL wild card.

Magic number for playoffs elimination: 9

Games remaining: 13 (6 home, 7 road).

Rays schedule:

Sept. 15: at Guardians (1)

Sept. 17-19: Red Sox (3)

Sept. 20-22: Blue Jays (3)

Sept. 24-26: at Tigers (3)

Sept. 27-29: at Red Sox (3)

AL CENTRAL

CLEVELAND GUARDIANS (85-64)

Standings: First in AL Central. Lead second-place Royals by 3 games.

Tiebreakers: Guardians lost season series with Royals 8-5; Guardians lost season series with Twins 7-6; Guardians lost season series with Yankees 4-2; Guardians won season series with Orioles 4-3.

Magic number to clinch AL Central: 12

Magic number to clinch playoffs: 6

Remaining games: 13 (10 home, 3 road).

Guardians schedule:

Sept. 15: Rays (1)

Sept. 16-19: Twins (4)

Sept. 20-22: at Cardinals (3)

Sept. 24-25: Reds (2)

Sept. 27-29: Astros (3)

KANSAS CITY ROYALS (82-67)

Standings: Second in AL Central. Trail first-place Guardians by 3 games. Second in AL wild-card standings. Lead Mariners and Tigers by 6 games for third AL wild card.

Tiebreakers: Royals lost season series with Twins 7-6; Royals won season series with Guardians 8-5; Mariners, Royals season series tied 3-3; Royals lost season series with Red Sox 4-2; Royals trail season series with Tigers 7-3.

Magic number to clinch playoffs: 8

Remaining games: 13 (6 home, 7 road).

Royals schedule:

Sept. 15: at Pirates (1)

Sept. 16-18: Tigers (3)

Sept. 20-22: Giants (3)

Sept. 24-26: at Nationals (3)

Sept. 27-29: at Braves (3)

MINNESOTA TWINS (78-70)

Standings: Third in AL Central. Trail first-place Guardians by 6.5 games. Third in AL wild-card standings. Lead Mariners and Tigers by 2.5 games for third AL wild card.

Tiebreakers: Twins won season series with Royals 7-6; Twins won season series with Tigers 7-6; Twins won season series with Mariners 5-2; Twins lead season series with Red Sox 2-1.

Magic number to clinch playoffs: 12

Remaining games: 14 (7 home, 7 road).

Twins schedule:

Sept. 15: Reds (1)

Sept. 16-19: at Guardians (4)

Sept. 20-22: at Red Sox (3)

Sept. 24-26: Marlins (3)

Sept. 27-29: Orioles (3)

DETROIT TIGERS (76-73)

Standings: Fourth in AL Central. Trail first-place Guardians by 9 games. Tied with Mariners for fourth in AL wild-card standings. Trail Twins by 2.5 games for third AL wild card.

Tiebreakers: Tigers lost season series with Twins 7-6; Tigers trail season series with Royals 7-3; Tigers won season series with Mariners 5-1; Tigers won season series with Red Sox 4-3.

Magic number for playoffs elimination: 12

Remaining games: 13 (7 home, 6 road).

Tigers schedule:

Sept. 15: Orioles (1)

Sept. 16-18: at Royals (3)

Sept. 20-22: at Orioles (3)

Sept. 24-26: Rays (3)

Sept. 27-29: White Sox (3)

AL WEST

HOUSTON ASTROS (80-68)

Standings: First in AL West. Lead second-place Mariners by 4.5 games.

Tiebreakers: Astros trail season series with Mariners 6-4.

Magic number to clinch AL West: 10

Magic number to clinch playoffs: 10

Remaining games: 14 (7 home, 7 road).

Astros schedule:

Sept. 15: at Angels (1)

Sept. 16-18: at Padres (3)

Sept. 19-22: Angels (4)

Sept. 23-25: Mariners (3)

Sept. 27-29: at Guardians (3)

SEATTLE MARINERS (76-73)

Standings: Second in AL West. Trail first-place Astros by 4.5 games. Tied with Tigers for fourth in AL wild-card standings. Trail Twins by 2.5 games for third AL wild card.

Tiebreakers: Mariners lead season series with Astros 6-4; Mariners lost season series with Twins 5-2; Royals, Mariners season series tied 3-3; Mariners lost season series with Red Sox 4-3; Mariners lost season series with Tigers 5-1.

Magic number for playoffs elimination: 12

Remaining games: 13 (7 home, 6 road).

Mariners schedule:

Sept. 15: Rangers (1)

Sept. 17-19: Yankees (3)

Sept. 20-22: at Rangers (3)

Sept. 23-25: at Astros (3)

Sept. 27-29: Athletics (3)

NL EAST

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (89-59)

Standings: First in NL East. Lead second-place Mets and Braves by 8 games.

Tiebreakers: Phillies won season series with Dodgers 5-1; Phillies lead season series with Brewers 3-0; Phillies lead season series with Mets 5-3; Phillies lost season series with Braves 7-6.

Magic number to clinch NL East: 7

Magic number to clinch playoffs: 7

Remaining games: 14 (4 home, 10 road).

Phillies schedule:

Sept. 15: Mets (1)

Sept. 16-18: at Brewers (3)

Sept. 19-22: at Mets (4)

Sept. 23-24: Cubs (3)

Sept. 27-29: at Nationals (3)

NEW YORK METS (81-67)

Standings: Tied with Braves for second in NL East. Trail first-place Phillies by 8 games. Tied with Braves for third in NL wild-card standings.

Tiebreakers: Mets, Braves, season series tied 5-5; Mets won season series with D’backs 4-3; Mets won season series with Padres 5-1; Mets trail season series with Phillies 5-3.

Magic number to clinch playoffs: 15

Remaining games: 14 (7 home, 7 road).

Mets schedule:

Sept. 15: at Phillies (1)

Sept. 16-18: Nationals (3)

Sept. 19-22: Phillies (4)

Sept. 24-26: at Braves (3)

Sept. 27-29: at Brewers (3)

ATLANTA BRAVES (81-67)

Standings: Tied with Mets for second in NL East. Trail first-place Phillies by 8 games. Tied with Mets for third in NL wild-card standings.

Tiebreakers: Braves, Mets season series tied 5-5; Braves won season series with Diamondbacks 5-2; Braves lost season series with Padres 4-3; Braves won season series with Mets 7-6.

Magic number for playoffs elimination: 15

Remaining games: 14 (8 home, 6 road).

Braves schedule:

Sept. 15-16: Dodgers (2)

Sept. 17-19: at Reds (3)

Sept. 20-22: at Marlins (3)

Sept. 24-26: Mets (3)

Sept. 27-29: Royals (3)

NL CENTRAL

MILWAUKEE BREWERS (86-62)

Standings: First in NL Central. Lead second-place Cubs by 11 games.

Tiebreakers: Brewers lost season series with Dodgers 4-3; Brewers trail season series with Phillies 3-0; Brewers won season series with Cubs 8-5.

Magic number to clinch NL Central: 3

Magic number to clinch playoffs: 3

Remaining games: 14 (10 home, 4 road).

Brewers schedule:

Sept. 15: at Diamondbacks (1)

Sept. 16-18: Phillies (3)

Sept. 19-22: Diamondbacks (4)

Sept. 24-26: at Pirates (3)

Sept. 27-29: Mets (3)

CHICAGO CUBS (75-73)

Standings: Second in NL Central. Trail first-place Brewers by 11 games. Fifth in NL wild-card standings. Trail Mets and Braves by 6 games for third NL wild card.

Tiebreakers: Cubs lost season series with Brewers 8-5.

Magic number for playoffs elimination: 9

Remaining games: 14 (10 home, 4 road).

Cubs schedule:

Sept. 15: at Rockies (1)

Sept. 16-18: Athletics (3)

Sept. 19-22: Nationals (4)

Sept. 23-25: at Phillies (3)

Sept. 27-29: Reds (3)

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (74-74)

Standings: Third in NL Central. Trail first-place Brewers by 12 games. Sixth in NL wild-card standings. Trail Mets and Braves by 7 games for third NL wild card.

Magic number for playoffs elimination: 8

Remaining games: 14 (7 home, 7 road).

Cardinals schedule:

Sept. 15: at Blue Jays (1)

Sept. 16-19: Pirates (4)

Sept. 20-22: Guardians (3)

Sept. 24-26: at Rockies (3)

Sept. 27-29: at Giants (3)

NL WEST

LOS ANGELES DODGERS (87-61)

Standings: First in NL West. Lead second-place Padres by 3.5 games.

Tiebreakers: Dodgers trail season series with Padres 7-3; Dodgers won season series with Diamondbacks 7-6; Dodgers lost season series with Phillies 5-1; Dodgers won season series with Brewers 4-3.

Magic number to clinch NL West: 11

Magic number to clinch playoffs: 9

Remaining games: 14 (6 home, 8 road).

Dodgers schedule:

Sept. 15-16: at Braves (2)

Sept. 17-19: at Marlins (3)

Sept. 20-22: Rockies (3)

Sept. 24-26: Padres (3)

Sept. 27-29: at Rockies (3)

SAN DIEGO PADRES (84-65)

Standings: Second in NL West. Trail first-place Dodgers by 3.5 games. First in NL wild-card standings. Lead Mets and Braves by 2.5 games for third NL wild card.

Tiebreakers: Padres, Diamondbacks, season series tied 5-5; Padres lead season series with Dodgers 7-3; Padres won season series with Braves 4-3; Padres lost season series with Mets 5-1.

Magic number to clinch playoffs: 12

Remaining games: 13 (6 home, 7 road).

Padres schedule:

Sept. 15: at Giants (1)

Sept. 16-18: Astros (3)

Sept. 20-22: White Sox (3)

Sept. 24-26: at Dodgers (3)

Sept. 27-29: at Diamondbacks (3)

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (82-66)

Standings: Third in NL West. Trail first-place Dodgers by 5 games. Second in NL wild-card standings. Lead Mets and Braves by 1 game for third NL wild card.

Tiebreakers: D’backs, Padres season series tied 5-5; D’backs lost season series with Dodgers 7-6; D’backs lost season series with Braves 5-2; D’backs lost season series with Mets 4-3.

Magic number to clinch playoffs: 14

Remaining games: 14 (7 home, 7 road).

Diamondbacks schedule:

Sept. 15: Brewers (1)

Sept. 16-18: at Rockies (3)

Sept. 19-22: at Brewers (4)

Sept. 23-25: Giants (3)

Sept. 27-29: Padres (3)

CURRENT POSTSEASON MATCHUPS

AL WILD CARD SERIES (best-of-3)

Yankees (1), Guardians (2) byes

Twins (6) at Astros (3)

Royals (5) at Orioles (4)

NL WILD CARD SERIES (best-of-3)

Phillies (1), Dodgers (2) byes

Mets/Braves (6) at Brewers (3)

Diamondbacks (5) at Padres (4)

Note: Higher seed will host all games (from Oct. 7-9).

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Randy Miller may be reached at [email protected].