MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – SEPTEMBER 18: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees reacts after hitting a double in the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on September 18, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
With just over two weeks left in the regular season, some MLB teams have already clinched their divisions or a playoff spot.
Each MLB team has about 15 games remaining in the season but the teams that look like they will be in the playoffs are pretty clear, unlike last season.
In the American League in 2021, there were four teams (the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, and Seattle Mariners) were all fighting for two playoff spots (both AL Wild Card spots). Even in the NL, it was a battle until the end for who would win the NL West: the San Francisco Giants or Los Angeles Dodgers. The Giants prevailed as they won 107 games and the Dodgers won 106.
But this year, all of the battles are seemingly going to be like the latter: between teams that will be in the playoffs regardless but the final few games will determine the seeding of the teams.
MLB Magic Number tracker
Entering play on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Dodgers have clinched a playoff spot and their division so their magic number is zero. This is also the case for the Houston Astros in the American League West. On Monday, the New York Mets clinched a spot in the playoffs but the NL East is still up for grabs.
For the rest of the sport, here are their magic numbers for clinching their division and/or making the postseason.