Whatever happened to the magic number? Around this time of year when a team had a good lead we'd always hear about the magic number. If I'm not mistaken, the magic number for the Red Sox right now is 6. any combination of Red Sox wins or Ray's losses and the Sox win the division. Am I correct?

Last I heard, the magic number for the division is 8. For just making the playoffs, it is 6. But the team with the best record overall gets to play the wildcard winner in the first round, not a division winner.

Magic number 8
 

You're close. It's 8.

Posted every day on mlb.com

Update Today:

From mlb.com: The victory lowered Boston's magic number to clinch the American League East to seven

No collapse this year.

The number is actually 7. You can do the math yourself or easily check CBS Sports where it is posted. Section 95 Row BB Sunday is where I will watch from

Well, they went from worst to first in their division, but they won't be able to go from worst to first in the league or in MLB as they were close, but not the worst in either. But they will go from third worst in the American league to first when they win the pennant and sixth worst in baseball to first when the win the World Series.

That was NUTZ yesterday! First Brady and the Pats then Ortiz and the SOX. I'm still in sports nirvana! It has been crazy around these parts since '01. It will be a sad day when this regional success goes by the way side.

Well, I think that Tom Brady and David Ortiz both have about four years left. Who knows what will happen after that?

I woud agree Brady has 4 about years left, but "Big Papi" probably only about 2 years.

I don't know. I think he's 37, but a DH can play forever.

Is anyone getting together at a sports bar tonight to watch the game?

Shane Victorino with the grande salami, who would have thunk it?
Kudos to John Farrell for bringing a miracle to Boston.

Bring on the Cardinals.

My wife said "I think he is going to hit a grand slam"! Silly wife-e-poo. I then commenced to giving her all the reasons why he would not, but I was hoping for a long fly ball or a slap hit to right.

One more reason to accept the fact my wife is always right! :highfive:

What is everyone thinking about Jake Peavey? Is he any better than the last number four starter they had? (Dubront?) He was terrible in game four of the ALCS.

How about Farrell moving Lackey up to Game 2 and moving Buckholtz back to number 3? What's up with that? One thing Farrell does know about is pitchers so I assume that there is a reason for it and it will work out.

Funny, and taking nothing away from Terry Francona and the amazing success that he had in his tenure in Boston, but for some reason, I have more faith in Farrell to make the right decisions. I think that most of the fans feel that way as well. I haven't heard anyone saying that they won in spite of Farrell.