ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves are seeking their fourth straight National League East title.
As of right now, the Braves are currently at the top of the NL East standings by 4.5 games over the Philadelphia Phillies.
So where does their “magic number” to clinch the division stand?
The Braves dominated the Phillies 7-2 at Truist Park Wednesday. Atlanta’s magic number to clinch the NL East is now one.
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Any combination of Braves victories and Phillies losses that equals the magic number will result in the NL East Division title for the Braves.
To calculate the magic number, take the number of games remaining on the leading team’s schedule, add the number one, and subtract the number of games the first-place team leads by in the loss column.
Each time the Braves win, that reduces the magic number by one. Each time the Phillies lose, that also reduces the magic number by one.
The Braves (85-72) win Wednesday gives the Phillies (81-77) five more losses with five games to play.
Thursday would be the earliest the Braves could clinch the division. Ian Anderson will head to the mound against Kyle Gibson.
Here is how the Braves are chipping away at the magic number.
Atlanta Braves ‘magic number’ tracker
Sept. 14: Braves lose, Phillies lose. Magic number = 15
Sept. 19: Braves win, Phillies lose. Magic number = 13
Sept. 20: Braves, Phillies lose. Magic number = 11
Sept. 21: Braves win, Phillies win. Magic number = 10
Sept. 22: Braves win, Phillies win. Magic number = 9
Sept. 23: Braves lose, Phillies win. Magic number = 9
Sept. 24: Braves split doubleheader, Phillies win. Magic number = 8
Sept. 25: Braves win, Phillies win. Magic Number = 7
Sept. 26: Braves win, Phillies lose. Magic number = 5
Sept. 28: Braves win, Phillies lose. Magic number = 3
Sept. 29: Braves win, Phillies lose. Magic number = 1
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