Magic Number Calculator
A team's magic number is how many combined leader wins and chaser losses guarantee a title or playoff berth. Enter the season length and both teams' records.
How it works
Magic number = (games in the season + 1) − leader's wins − chaser's losses. It is computed against the single closest pursuer. As the leader wins or the chaser loses, the number ticks down; zero or below means clinched.
Worked example
In a 162-game season, a leader with 95 wins over a chaser with 60 losses has a magic number of (162 + 1) − 95 − 60 = 8. Any eight combination of leader wins and chaser losses clinches.
Frequently asked questions
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Sources
- MLB.com — Magic Number
- MLB.com — Standard & Advanced Stats Glossary
- FanGraphs — Sabermetrics Library
- Baseball Reference — Glossary
Last reviewed March 1, 2025. Rules and manufacturer charts change — verify against current official sources each season.