All about magic numbers

Listening to the post game show today, I realized that there is some confusion with the magic number and if the Angels will clinch at home this week.

First, let me say that the Angels should clinch at home sometime next weekend against Seattle.

After today's 9-7 come-from-ahead loss, the Angels are now 87-62 (.584). The Mariners also lost, so they are now 78-70 (.527).

With the Seattle loss, the Angels' magic number is 6. The magic number is the combination of Angels wins plus Mariners losses needed to clinch the division.

How to calculate a magic number.

1. First, find out the maximum number of games Seattle can win. There are 162 games in a season and Seattle has lost 70. 162 - 70 = 92. If Seattle wins out, they will finish with 92 wins.

2. Second, add one to Seattle's maximum wins. 92 + 1 = 93. Since the M's can't win 93 games, as soon as the Angels win their 93rd game, they clinch the division.

3. Now take the new number (93) and subtract the number of games the Angels have won (87). 93 - 87 = 6.

Quick way to calculate:

Magic Number = 163 - Angel Wins - Mariners Losses

Does Seattle still have a chance? Yes, but it is really slim.

Here's the chart after today's losses by both teams.

If the Angels win 6 or more games, they win the West.
If the Angels go 5-8 (.385), the Mariners need to go 14-0 (1.000) to tie for the West division.
If the Angels go 4-9 (.308), the Mariners need to go 13-1 (.929) to win the West division.
If the Angels go 3-10 (.231), the Mariners need to go 12-2 (.857) to win the West division.
If the Angels go 2-11 (.154), the Mariners need to go 11-3 (.786) to win the West division.
If the Angels go 1-12 (.077), the Mariners need to go 10-4 (.714) to win the West division.
If the Angels go 0-13 (.000), the Mariners need to go 9-5 (.643) to win the West division.