The Cleveland Guardians continue to close in on a Major League Baseball playoff spot.
Their latest win over the Detroit Tigers — 5-1 on Wednesday, Sept. 24 — means they have lowered their magic number to reach the American League playoffs.
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The Guardians are 86-72 and in sole possession of first place in the AL Central Division, a game ahead of the Tigers. Detroit led Cleveland by 15.5 games in early July.
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The magic number for the Guardians to win the American League Central division and secure a playoff spot is three as of the end of their game Wednesday, Sept. 24. Their magic number to secure a wild card spot remains at two after the Houston Astros defeated the Athletics on Thursday, Sept. 25.
So it’s up to the Guardians to gain ground as they go for a sweep of the Tigers on Thursday night.
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What are the odds the Guardians make the playoffs?
According to Fangraphs, the Guardians entered Sept. 25 with an 80.8% chance of winning the American League Central division. They have a 15.2% chance of clinching a wild-card berth (odds that lessened by beating Detroit). They now have a 96.1% chance of making the playoffs and a 1.8% chance of winning a World Series.
How is a magic number determined in Major League Baseball playoff standings?
In Major League Baseball, a team’s magic number marks how close it is to securing a playoff berth or division title. The figure combines the team’s remaining wins with losses by its closest competitor to show the earliest point a spot can be clinched.
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Cleveland Guardians schedule for the rest of the 2025 MLB season
Saturday, Sept. 27: vs. Texas Rangers, 7:15 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 28: vs. Texas Rangers, 3:10 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Guardians magic number to make 2025 MLB playoffs amid series vs Tigers