Guardians Magic Number ahead of huge AL Central-defining series against White Sox 

Later today, the Guardians will kick off a crucial three game series against the Chicago White Sox that has had a variety of different meanings in the past 13 months. 

When the schedule was revealed last summer, it seemed like the series would be a bit of a snoozer considering how much the White Sox stunk. 

But then they turned things around — so much so that it looked like Chicago would have wrapped up the American League Central race by the time this week’s series rolled around. 

Now it’s the exact opposite. Not only is it the biggest series between the two teams in recent memory, but it's also the series that could determine what this October is going to look like in Northeast Ohio. 

The Guardians were able to make up even more ground on the White Sox this weekend when they picked up a huge series win over the Twins while Chicago lost its series to St. Louis.

Those results mean the Guardians are entering tonight’s series trailing the White Sox by just a 1/2 game in the American League Central while being one game back in the loss column (the Guardians are 76-74 while the White Sox are 76-73). 

If the Guardians want to have any chance of winning the American League Central, they need to win this series against the White Sox. 

The Guardians' Magic Number keeps shrinking

The good news for the Guardians is that they’re still in control of the American League’s third Wild Card spot, and would still have a great chance to make it into the postseason via that route if they lose their series to Chicago (though it would be a bit harder). 

Cleveland’s win over the Twins on Sunday means they have a Wild Card Magic Number of 12, meaning they’d clinch a postseason spot with a combination of 12 wins and losses from the team trailing them in the standings (which is the Blue Jays right now). 

The White Sox have a Magic Number of 11 over the Guardians in the division, but that is guaranteed to look different by Wednesday afternoon. If the Guardians win the series, they’d hold a 1/2 game lead over the White Sox, while a sweep would give them a 1 1/2 game lead. 

Even though the Guardians hold one of the Wild Card spots, their best path toward the postseason may be through the division since they only have one team to worry about compared to two other teams in the Wild Card race. 

The Blue Jays are only a game back (and hold the tiebreaker over the two teams), while the Rangers (two games back) and Orioles (four games) are still kicking around. 

The Guardians are entering the final two weeks in full control of their postseason destiny. Given the way their June and July went, that’s all you can ask for. 

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