Red Sox Magic Number: Five Wins Needed For October

The Boston Red Sox's recent loss to the Texas Rangers did not alter their magic number for clinching a postseason spot. The team requires five wins from any combination of games played by themselves or other teams eliminated from contention before they are guaranteed an October berth. Currently, fans must hope against the first-place finishers in division rivals such as the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays to help reduce this hurdle faster than the final 11 games allow.