Detroit Tigers have 17 games left in the 2025 MLB regular season, and entering Wednesday, hold an 8½-game lead in the American League Central Division over the Cleveland Guardians.
It’s the biggest division lead in the AL, with fewer than three weeks left before the 162-game schedule ends and MLB postseason play beings. First, the Tigers (83-62) need to clinch a playoff spot. The easiest way to do that is to win the division, which will guarantee them as hosts of a playoff series.
So, what is the Tigers’ “magic number” to clinch the division for the first time since 2014 (their last of four straight)?
Here’s what you need to know:
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Detroit Tigers magic number to clinch AL Central Division
Through Tuesday night’s games: The Tigers’ magic number to clinch the division is 10 over the Cleveland Guardians, after the Tigers slugged the New York Yankees, 12-2, on Tuesday in the Bronx. The Tigers’ magic number to eliminate the third-place Kansas City Royals is 8.
The Guardians and Royals continue a four-game series Wednesday and Thursday in Cleveland. The Guardians won Monday, 10-2, and Tuesday, 2-0.
How do you calculate a team’s magic number in baseball?
It’s a lot easier than it sounds, even if your math skills are lacking.
There are two different ways to determine a team’s magic number.
The first: 163 – (first-place team’s win total + second-place team’s loss total) = magic number. In this case entering Wednesday, that’s 163 – (83+70) … 163-153 = 10.
The second: Games remaining + 1 – (losses by second-place team – losses by first-place team) = magic number.
When could the Tigers clinch the division?
This all depends, of course, on how this week’s games go.
The Tigers are 5-9 in their past 14 games; Cleveland is playing well at 7-4 over its past 11 games.
If the Tigers play well on this road trip against the Yankees and Marlins (Sept. 12-14) and the Guardians (vs White Sox) and Royals (at Phillies) stumble this weekend, they could do it if they sweep the Guardians (Sept. 16-18) at home.
More likely, we’ll circle the weekend series at Comerica Park against the Braves (Sept. 19-21).
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Tigers schedule to end regular season
The Tigers have 17 games remaining in the regular season entering Wednesday:
When do the MLB playoffs 2025 begin?
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tigers magic number update: Here’s when they can clinch AL Central Division
Reporting by Marlowe Alter, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
