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MLB
Boston Red Sox
87-75 ·3rd in AL East ·L1
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Boston Red Sox Magic Number
Postseason Status
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The Boston Red Sox have clinched a postseason berth at 87-75. The AL East race continues below.
AL East Race
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | L10 | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| z - Tampa Bay Rays | 98 | 64 | .605 | - | 5-5 | L1 |
| w - New York Yankees | 93 | 68 | .578 | 4.5 | 5-5 | W1 |
| w - Boston Red Sox | 87 | 75 | .537 | 11.0 | 5-5 | L1 |
| Baltimore Orioles | 79 | 82 | .491 | 18.5 | 6-4 | L1 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | 79 | 83 | .488 | 19.0 | 4-6 | W1 |
American League Wild Card Race
| Team | W | L | PCT | WCGB | L10 | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| w - New York Yankees | 93 | 68 | .578 | +9.5 | 5-5 | W1 |
| w - Boston Red Sox | 87 | 75 | .537 | +3.0 | 5-5 | L1 |
| w - Chicago White Sox | 84 | 78 | .519 | - | 7-3 | W1 |
| Texas Rangers | 80 | 82 | .494 | 4.0 | 4-6 | L1 |
| Baltimore Orioles | 79 | 82 | .491 | 4.5 | 6-4 | L1 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | 79 | 83 | .488 | 5.0 | 4-6 | W1 |
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 trail in the AL East, so their live magic number is the Wild Card one: 0 — any combination of Boston Red Sox wins and Texas Rangers losses totaling 0 clinches a playoff spot.
What is the Boston Red Sox magic number to clinch a playoff spot?
Boston Red Sox currently hold a Wild Card spot. Their magic number to clinch one is 0 — any combination of Boston Red Sox wins and Texas Rangers losses totalling 0 secures it. This is separate from the division magic number.
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.
More Boston Red Sox: Standings · Game Today · Schedule · Latest News
Updated October 24, 2026 8:22 PM ET. Standings refresh hourly.