Magic Number Watch: Clayton Kershaw tries to send Dodgers into postseason

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.

After a 12-inning loss Monday night at the hands of the rival San Francisco Giants, the Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves in the same place: They’ve got to win. Problem is, they’ve lost four straight.

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In this installment of Magic Number Watch, we’ll look at what the Dodgers need to do get into the postseason, what teams are already in and who might be joining them soon.

READY TO CLINCH

Team: Los Angeles Dodgers

Magic Number to clinch NL West: 2

Scenario: The Dodgers still just need to beat the Giants once to clinch the NL West. The Giants won Monday night with Zack Greinke on the bump, but now they’ll have to beat Clayton Kershaw, who is pitching Tuesday for the Dodgers. No fancy scenarios here beyond that. The Dodgers win, they win the division. The Giants lose, they’re eliminated from postseason contention. It’s pretty cut-and-dry.

Team: Toronto Blue Jays

Magic Number to clinch AL East: 2

Scenario: The Jays are already in the playoffs, but they can clinch the AL East title on Tuesday with a win and a New York Yankees loss. The Jays send Marcus Stroman to the hill, who has been impeccable since his return from an ACL injury.

Team: St. Louis Cardinals

Magic Number to clinch NL Central: 2

Scenario: Like the Blue Jays, the Cardinals are in the playoffs, but they can close out their division with a win Tuesday. They’re playing the team chasing them, the Pittsburgh Pirates, so all the Cards need is a win to take another division title.

COMING UP

Team: New York Yankees

Magic Number to clinch playoff berth: 3

Scenario: No upward movement for the Yanks on Monday, as they lost to the Red Sox and their magic number stayed at three. In order to clinch a playoff spot, the Yankees need to win on Tuesday and see losses from the Twins and Angels.

Team: Texas Rangers

Magic Number to clinch AL West: 5

Scenario: The Rangers lost Monday night, so the race for the AL West is looking a lot more interesting. A clinch isn’t on the horizon just yet. They need to fend off the Astros (1.5 back) and the surging Angels (two games back) first.

AL WILD CARD

Teams involved: Houston Astros (84-74), Los Angeles Angels (82-74), Minnesota Twins (81-75), Cleveland Indians (77-78)

Scenario: Still lots to figure out here. The Astros, Angels and Twins all won on Monday, so the biggest development is that the Indians’ loss knocked their elimination number to two. They could be done as soon as Tuesday. The rest is pretty tight, though. The Astros hold a half-game lead over the Angels and a 1.5-game lead over the Twins. Both still have the postseason within reach for the moment.

ALREADY IN THE POSTSEASON:

• 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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