Phillies Cut Magic Number to 14 | MLB News

0:00It's September 8th. Welcome to MLB News today, powered by AI and ready for first pitch. The Phillies just wrapped up a four game series against the Braves, and it was a real nail-biter. They dropped the first game, which shook up the bullpen a bit, but managed to pull out a win in the second to tie things up. The third game looked good for a while, but the bullpen couldn't hold the lead, and they lost that one. However, they finished strong, taking the final game of the series with a tight, one-run victory. That split the series, but more importantly, it brought their magic number down. Now, their magic number to clinch a playoff spot is 14. This means they need 14 more wins, or 14 losses by their closest competitor to secure a postseason birth. Their chances of making it are looking pretty solid, sitting at over 97%. They're also keeping an eye on other games around the league. If the Royals or the Nationals win their upcoming matchups, it could shave another number off that magic number.

1:00It's all about controlling what they can on the field though. Ultimately, the Phillies just need to keep stacking wins. Every victory they get chips away at that magic number, bringing them closer to the postseason. It's a marathon, not a sprint, and they're definitely trending in the right direction.