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51-48 ·3rd in AL East ·W14
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Boston Red Sox Magic Number
AL East Magic Number
Not Yet
Magic numbers belong to division leaders. The Boston Red Sox (51-48) sit
6.0 games back of the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East —
but they currently hold the No. 3 Wild Card, so the more relevant race is below.
AL East Race
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | L10 | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Rays | 57 | 42 | .576 | - | 4-6 | W1 |
| New York Yankees | 56 | 44 | .560 | 1.5 | 6-4 | W2 |
| Boston Red Sox | 51 | 48 | .515 | 6.0 | 10-0 | W14 |
| Baltimore Orioles | 49 | 52 | .485 | 9.0 | 7-3 | L1 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | 46 | 54 | .460 | 11.5 | 4-6 | L2 |
American League Wild Card Race
| Team | W | L | PCT | WCGB | L10 | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Yankees | 56 | 44 | .560 | +4.5 | 6-4 | W2 |
| Cleveland Guardians | 53 | 48 | .525 | +1.0 | 6-4 | W1 |
| Boston Red Sox | 51 | 48 | .515 | - | 10-0 | W14 |
| Texas Rangers | 50 | 50 | .500 | 1.5 | 5-5 | L2 |
| Baltimore Orioles | 49 | 52 | .485 | 3.0 | 7-3 | L1 |
| Minnesota Twins | 49 | 52 | .485 | 3.0 | 5-5 | L3 |
Top 3 Wild Cards reach the postseason.
What Is a Magic Number?
A magic number is how close a division leader is to making the race mathematically over: 163 minus the leader's wins minus the second-place team's losses. Every leader win takes one off; so does every pursuer loss — which is why September scoreboard-watching counts both. When it hits zero, the division is clinched, no math left. Teams that trail don't have a magic number; they have the mirror image, an elimination number, counting down to the day the leader's lead becomes unbeatable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Boston Red Sox magic number?
The Boston Red Sox don't have a magic number right now — magic numbers belong to division leaders, and they trail in the AL East by 6.0 games. Their playoff path runs through the Wild Card race.
How is a magic number calculated?
For a 162-game MLB season: 163 minus the division leader's wins minus the second-place team's losses. Each leader win or pursuer loss reduces it by one; at zero, the division is clinched.
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Updated July 21, 2026 7:48 AM ET. Standings refresh hourly.