The Yankees Magic Number
So, this morning, we see the Yankees and Rays tied for first in the A.L. East, each at 77-48, with 37 games left to play this season.
Clearly, now, it’s a 37-game season to determine the winner in the A.L. East. And, between New York and Tampa, whoever wins the most of those 37 games will take the crown.
However, forget about the Tampa Bay Bays for the moment. Well, actually, what I should say is forget about the A.L. East for the moment and just think about making the post-season in 2010.
Presently, both the Yankees and Rays lead the Boston Red Sox, by 5 1/2 games, in the A.L. Wildcard standings.
So, any combination of Yankees wins and Red Sox losses that equal 32 over the remaining games this season means the Yankees have locked up a post-season berth in 2010.
Or, in other words, if the Yankees just play one game over .500 baseball between now and season end, and go 19-18 over than span, the Red Sox would need to go 24-12 at the same time to avoid finishing behind them (and tie New York).
Will the Yankees play just one-game over .500 the rest of the way, and, can the Red Sox play “.667 baseball” from here out at the same time? I doubt it. And, so should the Yankees.
Basically, the Yankees just need to show up and win more than they lose over the next 37 games. And, when it’s all said and done, they’ll be in the post-season this year. And, because of the wildcard, there really isn’t any tension around winning the A.L. East. The dress is in the bag.
just keep winning series and worry about yourself right now.
It’s not in the bag at all.
Yanks have a very tough last 3 weeks. Sox have sufficient pitching and enoough hitting left to make a run.
It’s not over. Maybe it should be, but because Jeter, Tex, A-Rod, AJ, and Vazquez have had down seasons, it isn’t.
A bit sad that we’re at the point of talking magic numbers. Fall and cold weather are around the corner. Days are already getting noticeably cooler and shorter.
Raf wrote:
Agreed. It sucks.
@ Evan3457:
You really think the Yankees could choke up a 5.5 game lead in the WC with 37 games to go? They’re not the Mets, are they?
@ Steve Lombardi:
@ Evan3457:
Have you guys body swapped?
Steve Lombardi wrote:
I said it at the start of the year, I said it again at the All-Star Break, and I’ll say it again now:
This Yankee team is talented enough to win 95+ games. Whether that’ll be enough in this division, I’m not sure.
Anything is possible. The 2000 Yanks nearly coughed things up as I recall. Boston is a very, very good team, even with all the injuries. I’m not counting them out at all, especially with the way the Yanks have played as of late.
Peter Gammons says the Red Sox have a 1 in 15 chance (6.7%) of making the postseason.