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MLB's playoff races are heating up as the regular season nears its final week. Every game matters and, as baseball fans know, magic numbers start to matter. But what the heck is a magic number and where did the term originate?

What is a magic number in MLB?

A magic number is the combination of wins a given team needs and losses by its closest competitor to mathematically clinch a goal, whether it be a playoff spot, division title or wild card spot. There are two ways a given team's magic number can decrease. Each win for a given team decreases the magic number by one. Each loss by a given team's closest competitor also decreases the magic number by one. Should a given team's closest competitor change—for instance, the second place team is surpassed by another team—the magic number will also adjust.

With the formula below, a magic number determines how close a given team is to clinching its given goal.

Games remaining +1 – (losses by second place team – losses by first place team)

Where did the term magic number first originate?

The term magic number dates back to 1947, when it was used in an article published on Sept. 12 in . Discussing the pennant race between the Yankees and Red Sox, the author wrote, "The Yankees reduced the magic number to four. That is the combination of games the Yankees must win or the Red Sox must lose in order to insure the flag for the Yankees."

Back then, a team simply needed to finish first in the American or National League to win the pennant and earn the right to play in the World Series. Magic numbers were a lot simpler to calculate back then! But the term stuck as MLB drastically changed its route to the World Series over the years, and has become a key reference point for broadcasters, pundits and fans as they follow the postseason races to the conclusion of the regular season.

In a statement, Smriti Mandhana says “it’s time to move forward”

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Dec-2025India batter Smriti Mandhana has confirmed that her wedding has been “called off”. She and music composer Palash Muchhal were scheduled to marry on November 23, but it was initially postponed after Mandhana’s father was hospitalised.Mandhana appealed for privacy in her statement on Instagram. “Over the past few weeks there has been plenty of speculation around my life and I feel it is important for me to speak out at this time,” she wrote in her post. “I am a very private person and I would like to keep it that way but I need to clarify that the wedding is called off.”I would like to close this matter here and implore all of you to do the same. I request you to please respect the privacy of both families at this time and allow us the space to process and move on at our own pace.”I believe there is a higher purpose driving us all and for me that has always been representing my country at the highest level,” she wrote. “I hope to continue to play and win trophies for India for as long as possible and that is where my focus will forever be.”She concluded her statement by saying, “It’s time to move forward.”Mandhana was the second-highest run-scorer during India’s successful campaign in the recent women’s ODI World Cup, with 434 runs at an average of 54.25.Her next assignment is the five-T20I series against Sri Lanka at home from December 21 to 30, after which she will lead Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the 2026 WPL from January 9. RCB play the opening game of the season against Mumbai Indians in Navi Mumbai.

MatériaMais Notícias

da betway： Uma rodada entre o “céu e o inferno” para o Botafogo. Após o empate em 2 a 2 com o Juventude, o time comandado por Luís Castro caiu duas posições na classificação do Brasileirão, mas aumentou a distância para o Z4.

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da jogodeouro： +Fala, Doente! LANCE! estreia podcast do Botafogo nesta terça-feira

O Glorioso terminou a rodada com 27 pontos e ocupando a 14ª posição. O clube foi ultrapassado por Goiás e Fortaleza, que venceram, respectivamente, Atlético-MG e Corinthians.

Ao mesmo tempo, nenhum dos times que está abaixo do Glorioso venceu na rodada, o que fez a distância para a zona de rebaixamento aumentar. O Avaí, primeiro time na degola, foi derrotado pelo Internacional.

A distância para o time catarinense aumentou de três para quatro pontos – 27 contra 23. Coritiba (22), Atlético-GO (22) e Juventude (17) completam o Z4.

O Botafogo enfrenta o Flamengo às 18h do próximo domingo no Estádio Nilton Santos, em jogo válido pela 24ª rodada. Se vencer, a equipe chega a 30 pontos e pode alcançar até a 11ª colocação. Em caso de empate, o máximo a ser alcançado é o 13º lugar. Com uma derrota, o time pode terminar em 16º, apenas uma posição acima do Z4.

After it was pointed out that the laws bar a substitute from being captain, Pakistan’s team management said Sarfaraz, not Rizwan, was in charge

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Dec-2022

Mohammad Rizwan, who is not a part of Pakistan’s playing XI for the ongoing first Test against New Zealand in Karachi, led the team out on to the field at the start of the third day, with news coming out that Babar Azam, the regular captain, and two other players were down with “a viral flu”.As such, the laws of the game bar substitutes from leading a side. Rizwan was spotted moving his fielders around but, in theory, any fielder can do that. Word from the team management initially was that Rizwan – the side’s designated vice-captain – was the acting captain in Babar’s absence, but for reviews, Sarfaraz Ahmed, the former captain who is in the XI after a long gap, was in charge. That came into play in the 53rd over, when Sarfaraz reviewed the umpire’s not-out decision when Nauman Ali struck Devon Conway on the pads, and got it overturned in Pakistan’s favour.By then, however, the Pakistan team management had been told that substitutes were not allowed lead a side on the field, and clarified that Sarfaraz, and not Rizwan, was the stand-in captain.The law in question – 24.1.2 – states: “A substitute shall not bowl or act as captain but may act as wicketkeeper only with the consent of the umpires.”Shan Masood and Salman Agha were the other players who didn’t come out to field at the start of play, with the team management informing us about the flu, and adding that they would come out later in the day. Masood did, in fact, come out to field a short while after play started, and Babar and Salman came out in the second session.

Beau Webster is keen to push his credentials as a one-day cricketer ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup although concedes the white-ball formats have taken a backseat in recent times amid his rise to Test cricket.Webster will feature at the start of the One-Day Cup for Tasmania this week when they begin their campaign against New South Wales in Sydney on Tuesday before facing Victoria in Brisbane on Friday ahead of the Sheffield Shield early next month.Webster’s List A record with the bat is middling – an average of 30.31 and strike rate of 77.10 – with his only century coming back in 2017 for a Cricket Australia XI when they fielded a development side in the one-day competition.Related

• Maxwell named for 50-over return for Victoria despite ODI retirement

• Webster happy to scrap for Ashes spot with Green's return to bowling on track

• Doggett 'definitely ready' if Ashes reinforcements needed

Having made 315 runs at 52.50 in the 2023-24 season he managed just 31 in three innings last summer, although impressed with the ball as he claimed 16 wickets at 9.56 including a career-best 6 for 17 against Western Australia at the WACA when the home side suffered an astonishing collapse of 8 for 1.”I’d love to play white-ball cricket for Australia,” Webster told ESPNcricinfo. “Probably more so one-day cricket than T20 at this stage. It just feels a bit like I haven’t played it for a long time.”The last 12 months I’ve been solely focused on red-ball cricket and that’s in county cricket, Shield cricket and Test cricket. It feels like I’ve hardly hit a white ball and the things that go along with training for white-ball is a lot different than they are for red-ball.”I feel like my red-ball game’s in a really good place and I’ve got my preparation down to a tee. I suppose that I haven’t really thought too much about it [white-ball cricket] but obviously if the opportunity came and they needed what I do, I’d absolutely jump at it and love to represent the country in the colours.”The next men’s 50-over tournament is the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia which will be held in October and November of that year. Webster’s brisk medium pace and batting strength against pace bowling could be suited to conditions in Southern Africa.Australia’s 50-over side is going through something of a transition, especially in the batting, following the retirements of Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell. Aaron Hardie struggled in the No. 7 role in his recent opportunities against South Africa. Webster’s Tasmania team-mate Mitchell Owen had been due to feature in the series before suffering concussion.”I hope I’m in the conversation if I can continue to score runs in the One-Day Cup for Tasmania and Test level”•AFP/Getty Images

“I think if you’re scoring runs and taking wickets in Test cricket, you’re always going to be seen as an option,” Webster said. “If you’re doing it at that level…there are a lot of transferable skills across from Test cricket to one-day cricket. So I hope I’m in the conversation if I can continue to score runs in the One-Day Cup for Tasmania and Test level. I hope my name gets thrown around for a potential debut.”Webster plans to play most, if not all, of Tasmania’s cricket before the start of the Ashes – where he potentially faces a selection squeeze depending on how the team is balanced – although may have his bowling workload managed as the first part of the season progresses.”I think I’ll try and definitely play all four of them [the Shield matches] and try and get Tassie off to a good start and get us to the top end of the table,” he said. “Then the bowling side of things we just might have to manage a little bit if we end up bowling a little bit too much. Those last two games might be managed a little bit, but I’ll be at all four.”On the theme of white-ball cricket, Webster has moved home to defending champions Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL although if he is part of the Ashes series he may not feature until after the final Test and he’s realistic that it will be a challenge to get into the line-up.”I think it’s going to be a hard-fought top six to get into,” he said. “We’ve kept the majority of the list from the title-winning team there and everyone wants to bat at Bellerive. It’s a great place to bat and we’ve got some world-class batters in that XI. Hopefully I can be with the Ashes series for all five Tests and then come back to the Hurricanes and play a role if they need me.”

Emma Lamb top-scores for new team with 55 as Phoenix get off to winning start

ECB Media08-Aug-2025

Runs from the in-form Emma Lamb and impressive bowling from wristspinners Hannah Baker and Millie Taylor saw Birmingham Phoenix to an 11-run win over Trent Rockets despite a defiant 64 from Nat Sciver-Brunt.Birmingham Phoenix posted 148 for 5 from their 100 balls, a fine half-century from Lamb (55 from 32) leading the way at the top of the order.Electing to bat first, Phoenix started slowly, reaching 16 for 0 from their first 15 balls. They were 36 for 0 after the 25-ball power play and by the halfway mark, in front of a growing Edgbaston crowd, the home side were 78 for 1, having lost Georgia Voll (19) bowled by Australia legspinner Alana King.Lamb brought up her half-century from 28 balls with eight boundaries, eventually falling with the score on 89, flat-batting Ash Gardner’s offspin into the hands of King at deep midwicket.Emma Lamb swings leg-side•Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images

In reply, economical bowling from the home side then stifled the Rockets’ run chase throughout, Ellyse Perry’s 20 balls conceding just 17 runs as the Phoenix captain led from the front.A lofted drive off Baker saw Sciver-Brunt reach 1,000 career runs in the Hundred, becoming the first woman or man to reach the milestone, reaching the landmark at an average of exactly 50.She brought up her half-century with a violent six off Em Arlott over midwicket and followed it up with a straight four to see the equation to 37 required from 15 balls. Another boundary off Megan Schutt’s final ball then made the equation 27 from 10 balls.Left-arm wrist-spinner Taylor (1 for 22) bowled the penultimate five, conceding just seven to leave 20 runs for Arlott to defend from the final set, and then pulled off a stunning one-handed catch at short fine-leg to see the back of Sciver-Brunt.Arlott finished with figures of 2 for 38 and Baker 2 for 18 from 15 balls as the Rockets closed on 137 for 6.

PSV Eindhoven delivered a stunning performance in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night, dismantling Napoli 6-2 at Philips Stadion with American forward Ricardo Pepi making a significant impact off the bench. The 22-year-old striker needed just two minutes after entering the match to find the net and later provided an assist as PSV secured their first Champions League win of the season.

Supersub

Both U.S. internationals Pepi and Sergino Dest entered the match in the 84th minute with PSV already leading 4-1 against 10-man Napoli. Their introduction proved immediately impactful as Napoli briefly reduced the deficit when Scott McTominay headed home in the 85th minute, only for Pepi to restore PSV's three-goal advantage just one minute later.

The former FC Dallas academy product showed his predatory instincts by tapping in from close range after fellow substitute Couhaib Driouech created the opportunity. Pepi then returned the favor two minutes later by feeding Driouech for PSV’s sixth and final goal of the night.

AdvertisementPepi's goalAFPDutch side overcomes early deficit

The comprehensive victory didn't come without early challenges for PSV. Napoli had taken the lead in the 31st minute through McTominay's headed goal from a Leonardo Spinazzola cross. However, PSV responded quickly with an Alessandro Buongiorno own goal in the 35th minute, leveling the score.

The Dutch side then seized control when Ismael Saibari put them ahead in the 38th minute with a clinical finish after a swift counter-attack. Dennis Man extended PSV's advantage in the 54th minute, tapping in at the near post from Mauro Junior's cutback, before Napoli's situation deteriorated further when Lorenzo Lucca received a straight red card in the 76th minute for dissent after pointing to his head following a foul decision.

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AFPGaining momentum

The impressive performances from both Pepi and Dest, albeit in limited minutes, will boost their confidence as PSV prepares for upcoming fixtures. Pepi's goal and assist in just six minutes of play could potentially earn him more substantial playing time as the Dutch side looks to build on this momentum in both the Champions League and Eredivisie. The Dutch side will face Feyenoord next in the Eredivisie on Oct. 25 before hosting Fortuna Sittard on Oct. 31.

AC Milan striker Santi Giménez headlines Mexico’s 25-man squad for October friendlies, with notable absences including Raúl Jiménez, Julián Araujo and Edson Álvarez. El Tri will face South American foes Colombia and Ecuador in the FIFA window, with Javier Aguirre's roster featuring a mix of surprise inclusions and omissions.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Full squad list

  Here is Aguirre's 25-man squad:

  Goalkeepers: Luis Ángel Malagón, Raúl Rangel, Carlos Acevedo

  Defenders: Kevin Álvarez, Israel Reyes, Mateo Chávez, Ramón Juárez, Jorge Sánchez, César Montes, Johan Vásquez, Jesús Gallardo

  Midfielders: Carlos Rodríguez, Orbelín Pineda, Alexis Gutiérrez, Erick Sánchez, Erik Lira, Luis Romo

  Forwards: Santiago Giménez, Julián Quiñones, Germán Berterame, Hirving Lozano, César Huerta, Alexis Vega, Diego Lainez

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Key absences

  The squad announcement also highlighted some notable absences. Key European-based players such as Jiménez,  Álvarez, Guillermo Ochoa, and  Araujo are not included, while Rodrigo Huescas misses out due to injury.

  Raúl Jiménez’s absence is surprising, as he is chasing Javier Hernández’s record as Mexico’s all-time top scorer. However, with nothing left to prove to Aguirre, he is still Mexico’s leading attacker, and the coach chose to leave him out for this FIFA window. Captain Álvarez is also missing, as he is still recovering from a muscle injury sustained during the September FIFA date against Japan while adjusting to life at Fenerbahçe.

• AFP
  

  Surprise picks

  The 25-man squad features some surprise call-ups of players who haven’t been called up recently, including Alexis Gutiérrez, Kevin Álvarez, and Luis Romo, along with the return of Julián Quiñones and Santos Laguna goalkeeper Carlos Acevedo.

  Gutiérrez is enjoying an excellent run with América and will be looking to make his case to Aguirre for a World Cup spot. Meanwhile, Kevin Álvarez’s call-up comes due to Huescas’ ACL injury, which will keep him sidelined for several months.

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• Fixtures across two countries

  Mexico will first take on Colombia on Saturday, Oct. 11, at AT&T Stadium. Three days later, on Tuesday, Oct. 14, return to Guadalajara to wrap up the month against Ecuador at Estadio Akron.

هناك الكثير من الشائعات حول مستقبل جناح الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ريال مدريد، فينيسيوس جونيور، وإمكانية رحيله في الميركاتو الصيفي المقبل.

وارتبط اسم فينيسيوس في الفترة الماضية بإمكانية مغادرة “سانتياجو برنابيو” من أجل اللعب في الدوري السعودي في ظل اهتمام الهلال وأهلي جدة.

اقرأ أيضًا | تقارير: لاعب ريال مدريد السابق معروض على برشلونة.. والنادي الكتالوني يوضح موقفه

وبحسب شبكة “Give me Sport” البريطانية فإن هناك عرضًا يتم التجهيز له من قبل نادي أهلي جدة يصل إلى 296 مليون جنيه إسترليني لحسم الصفقة.

وتأتي محاولات أهلي جدة لضم فينيسيوس بعد تحركات من الهلال لمحاولة التعاقد مع اللاعب البرازيلي أيضًا بعد نهاية بطولة كأس العالم للأندية 2025.

ويواجه فينيسيوس تحديات قوية قادمة مع ريال مدريد خاصة بعد التعاقد مع كيليان مبابي الذي أصبح منافسه على اللاعب الأفضل في الفريق وبالعالم.

ولكن العقبة الأكبر أمام رحيل فينيسيوس هي أن اللاعب يمتلك في عقده شرطا جزائيا قيمته مليار يورو، ومن غير المحتمل أن يتم تفعيله من قبل النادي السعودي رغم المبالغ التي تدفع في الصفقات الأجنبية.

ورغم صعوبة بيع فينيسيوس في الصيف المقبل، إلا أن أهلي جدة لن يستسلم لأنه يرى في فينيسيوس الصفقة الذهبية التي يحتاجها في المستقبل.

The Railways ditched and the queues were long, but Kent and Surrey’s fans enjoyed the cricket and dealt with all the inconveniences with humour

Stuart Croll27-Jun-2011Choice of game
A progressive and wise move by Kent CC to play this derby in Beckenham as there can’t be a better ground closer to the border of both counties. What the board of Kent CC could not have envisaged when making their decision was that the South Eastern Railways would decide today was the day to close the line to Beckenham for engineering works. But despite this inconvenience a healthy crowd was in attendance.Key performer
How I wished the key performer would be Robert Key. Alas the cricket-comedy gods did not want to play along so the Kent captain contributed just one run. The dismissal of Key and fellow opener Joe Denly brought together Azhar Mahmood and Martin van Jaarsveld whose big-hitting and astute running set up Kent’s victory. van Jaarsveld edges it as key performer, thanks to his higher score.One thing I’d change
The queues. There were lengthy queues to enter the ground, queues at the bar and queues for the toilets – yes even the gents toilets. Now the British love to queue but these queues were at times so lengthy there were times when we thought we had been transported to Glastonbury rather than watching the cricket.Interplay I enjoyed
After the opening four overs of the chase, Kent were struggling with two wickets down. One fan was so annoyed he shouted: “Come on, Kent, this is like watching Geoffrey Boycott.” Another fan replied: “Oi, this is Kent, show some respect. It’s like watching Chris Tavare.” Much hilarity ensued, and by the time it had subsided, Kent were ahead of the run-rate.Wow moment
The heatwave. With so many Twenty20 games falling foul of the weather, this season it was just great to enjoy a game knowing it would reach its natural conclusion.The “you-can’t-be-serious” moment
Considering it is the middle of Wimbledon fortnight, the John McEnroe moment was when, in between overs, the PA announcer broadcast congratulations to a couple from South Carolina who were spending their honeymoon at the cricket. The entire crowd was aghast wondering why this couple would rather spend their honeymoon in Beckenham watching Twenty20 cricket than holidaying in Hawaii, Mauritius, Las Vegas or any other place on the planet.Shot of the day
A six from Mahmood was so huge it would have disrupted the train-service into Beckenham Junction had they been running today.Player watch
Despite being on the losing side, Tom Maynard again showed his class in this form of the game. Surrey have lost a few players to England this summer, and many are predicting Jason Roy to be next, but Maynard continues to impress and may just overtake the youngster in England’s plans.Crowd meter
There was good-natured fun between both sets of fans, which, considering the queues and the heatwave, was better than should have been expected. As one wag in the public bar said: “Remember today – this is our summer.”Marks out of 10
Kent won quite easily, but for a while this was a close-fought encounter. Also, it was played in front of a big crowd under lovely sunshine – so eight out of ten.Overall
On the plus side, it was a good Twenty20 game with plenty of sixes. Also, Kent CC should be congratulated for moving the game from Canterbury to Beckenham. It’s such a shame that National Rail closed the line in and out of Beckenham Junction on the very day the game was arranged. Is it too much to ask for a bit of common sense to be shown? That aside, an enjoyable day out, and a good game.