Magic Number Watch: Dodgers control their fate

(AP Photo) It’s that time of year again. The time where magic numbers and playoff scenarios take over our lives and leave us searching for the least confusing explanation available.

That’s where Big League Stew comes in. From now until the final postseason spot is secured, we’ll keep you updated on all of the latest clinches, magic number changes and new playoff scenarios.

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Coming into Monday, the Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs,Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets were already in. Who’s poised to join them next? Those answers will appear right now.

READY TO CLINCH

Team: Los Angeles Dodgers

Magic Number to clinch NL West: 2

Scenario: The Dodgers couldn’t pick up any ground on Sunday, so they’ll try to knock that magic number down again on Monday. The good thing is, while their magic number is two games, they only need to win one in order to clinch. That’s because they are playing the San Francisco Giants. If Los Angeles can take one of the four games against San Francisco, they’ll punch their playoff ticket.

COMING UP

Team: New York Yankees

Magic Number to clinch playoff berth: 3

Scenario: New York lowered their magic number to just three games following Sunday’s win against the Chicago White Sox. The club can actually clinch a playoff spot Monday if they beat the Red Sox, the A’s beat the Angels, the Tigers beat the Rangers and the Indians beat the Twins. Are you confused yet? They also still have an outside shot at the division, where they trail by four games.

Team: Texas Rangers

Magic Number to clinch AL West: 5

Scenario: The Rangers remain comfortably ahead in the AL West thanks to their late surge. After dropping two games against Houston, the club’s magic number remains at five games. It’s a two-team race behind Texas, with just one-half game separating the Astros and Angels. The club will finish the season with three at home against Detroit and a big four-game series with the Angels.

AL WILD CARD

Teams involved: Houston Astros (82-74), Los Angeles Angels (81-74), Minnesota Twins (80-75), Cleveland Indians (77-77)

Scenario: Still a potential for chaos. The Astros, Angels and Twins have been locked in this battle for weeks. The Indians are on the very fringe of mattering here, but are still close enough to run the table and edge in there. This is where our attention will be at this time next week.

ALREADY IN

• KANSAS CITY ROYALS: Playoff bound: For the first time ever, the Royals have won the AL Central

• TORONTO BLUE JAYS: Blue Jays clinch first playoff berth since 1993, end longest drought in MLB

• ST. LOUIS CARDINALS: Cardinals are headed to the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season

• PITTSBURGH PIRATES: Pirates earn third consecutive postseason berth with win in Colorado

• CHICAGO CUBS: Is this the year? Rebuilt Cubs earn first playoff berth since 2008

• NEW YORK METS: Meet the champs: Mets clinch first NL East title since 2006

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