Here’s the Cubs’ magic number for a berth in the MLB playoffs
Here’s the Cubs’ magic number for a berth in the MLB playoffs originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
The Chicago Cubs have only qualified for the playoffs once since 2018, but they’re hoping to reverse that trend this season as the season peaks.
Currently, the Cubs are 74-64 this season, and although they are 2.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central, they are making their own fortunes in the wildcard race, with a three-game lead over the Cincinnati Reds and Arizona Diamondbacks.
Here’s the leaderboard when we come into play on Tuesday:
Phillies–76-61
Hatchlings – 74-64
Diamondbacks – 71-67
Reds – 72-68
Marlins – 70-67 (0.5GB)
Giants – 70-68 (1GB)
So what is the Cubs’ “magic number” for making the playoffs?
Simply put, the “magic number” illustrates the number of wins a team needs combined with the number of losses for an opponent chasing them in the standings to earn a place in the playoffs.
Currently, the Reds are technically the team in first non-playoff spot in the wildcard race, just percentage points behind the Diamondbacks overall.
applies the formula provided by MLB, The current magic number for the Cubs to secure at least one wild card spot is currently 21.
The Cubs need to make sure they finish ahead of the Reds in the standings as well. Cincinnati will do it hold the tiebreaker over the Cubs aAt the end of the season, he won seven of the 13 games the two clubs had contested in the regular season.
The Cubs are also losing tiebreakers to the Phillies and Marlins, but currently have a lead over the Giants in that regard. The Cubs have yet to play the Diamondbacks this season but have seven games left against Arizona in the coming weeks.
