This app gives you the latest info on the wildcard races in major league baseball, as well as the current magic numbers for leaders to clinch their divisions. Up-to-the minute standings are provided for the American and National leagues. So whether you're a stats junky or just someone with playoff fever, enjoy the M.L.B. wild-card and magic # info at your fingertips in this free app.
A magic number indicates how close a front-running team is to clinching a season title (factoring wins and rival losses). It represents the total of additional wins by the front-running team or additional losses (or any combination thereof) by the rival team after which it is mathematically impossible for the rival team to capture the title in the remaining games.
The wildcard race is won by one A.L. and one N.L. team that have the best records, albeit without winning a division. Typically the wildcard team plays the team with the best overall record. in the first round of the playoffs. But if those teams are in the same division, then the wildcard team will face the team with the second-best record.
Thanks to erikberg.com for XML feeds.
