Chicago Cubs Magic Number Watch: Magic Number for Best Record in National League is 10
The Chicago Cubs clinched the National League Central Division on Thursday night, won in come-from-behind fashion on Friday and then partied to celebrate the win and their new title as NL Central kings. That was their first goal of the season. Next up is their second goal for this 2016 season. Win home field advantage throughout the National League playoffs by securing the best record in the league.
The Cubs have a six game lead over the Washington Nationals as of this morning. That makes their magic number to clinch NL home-field advantage 10 games. Here’s the current National League standings.
| East | W | L | PCT | GB | E# | WCGB | L10 |
| Washington | 88 | 59 | .599 | – | – | – | 8-2 |
| NY Mets | 78 | 69 | .531 | 10.0 | 6 | – | 7-3 |
| Miami | 73 | 74 | .497 | 15.0 | 1 | 5.0 | 5-5 |
| Philadelphia | 66 | 82 | .446 | 22.5 | E | 12.5 | 4-6 |
| Atlanta | 56 | 91 | .381 | 32.0 | E | 22.0 | 2-8 |
| Central | W | L | PCT | GB | E# | WCGB | L10 |
| y-Chi Cubs | 94 | 53 | .639 | – | – | – | 5-5 |
| St. Louis | 76 | 71 | .517 | 18.0 | E | 2.0 | 3-7 |
| Pittsburgh | 72 | 74 | .493 | 21.5 | E | 5.5 | 5-5 |
| Milwaukee | 66 | 82 | .446 | 28.5 | E | 12.5 | 5-5 |
| Cincinnati | 62 | 84 | .425 | 31.5 | E | 15.5 | 5-5 |
| West | W | L | PCT | GB | E# | WCGB | L10 |
| LA Dodgers | 83 | 64 | .565 | – | – | – | 6-4 |
| San Francisco | 79 | 68 | .537 | 4.0 | 12 | +1.0 | 6-4 |
| Colorado | 70 | 77 | .476 | 13.0 | 3 | 8.0 | 4-6 |
| Arizona | 62 | 85 | .422 | 21.0 | E | 16.0 | 4-6 |
| San Diego | 62 | 85 | .422 | 21.0 | E | 16.0 | 5-5 |
As a quick reminder, the formula to calculate the magic number is 162 + 1 – Cubs wins – 2nd place team losses or 163 – 94 – 59 = 10. Any combination of Cubs wins and Nationals losses that total ten and the Cubs will clinch the best record in the National League.
Here’s the remainder of the Nationals’ schedule this year. You’ll notice there’s not one game left against a team with a record better than .500.
| Saturday, September 17 | @Atlanta |
| Sunday, September 18 | @Atlanta |
| Monday, September 19 | @Miami |
| Tuesday, September 20 | @Miami |
| Wednesday, September 21 | @Miami |
| Friday, September 23 | @Pittsburgh |
| Saturday, September 24 | @Pittsburgh |
| Sunday, September 25 | @Pittsburgh |
| Monday, September 26 | vs. Arizona |
| Tuesday, September 27 | vs. Arizona |
| Wednesday, September 28 | vs. Arizona |
| Thursday, September 29 | vs. Arizona |
| Friday, September 30 | vs. Miami |
| Saturday, October 1 | vs. Miami |
| Sunday, October 2 | vs. Miami |
So, it’s very likely that the Cubs will need to keep winning if they want to clinch the home field advantage. Here’s a look at the Cubs remaining schedule. The Cubs play only one opponent with a record over .500, the St. Louis Cardinals.
| Sat, 9/17 | Brewers | 3:05p |
| Sun, 9/18 | Brewers | 1:20p |
| Mon, 9/19 | Reds | 7:05p |
| Tue, 9/20 | Reds | 7:05p |
| Wed, 9/21 | Reds | 7:05p |
| Fri, 9/23 | Cardinals | 1:20p |
| Sat, 9/24 | Cardinals | 12:05p |
| Sun, 9/25 | Cardinals | 7:08p |
| Mon, 9/26 | at Pirates | 6:05p |
| Tue, 9/27 | at Pirates | 6:05p |
| Wed, 9/28 | at Pirates | 6:05p |
| Thu, 9/29 | at Pirates | 6:05p |
| Fri, 9/30 | at Reds | 6:10p |
| Sat, 10/1 | at Reds | 3:10p |
| Sun, 10/2 | at Reds | 2:10p |
The Cubs play the Brewers today at 3:05 PM CT and Jake Arrieta will be pitching for the newly crowned kings.