What this calculator does
Magic number (pennant race) works out combined wins by your team and losses by the nearest rival needed to clinch a spot. Enter your own figures above and the answer updates as you type: nothing is fixed in the code, so the result reflects exactly the numbers you supply.
The formula this calculator evaluates is printed under the tool and explained below, so you can check the working by hand or reuse it in a spreadsheet.
The formula
FormulaMagic number = games in season − your wins − rival’s losses + 1
The inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Games in season | A number. Starts at 162. |
| Your team’s wins | A number. Starts at 85. |
| Nearest rival’s losses | A number. Starts at 60. |
Worked examples
Every figure in the tables below is produced by this page’s own calculator at build time, so the numbers and the tool always agree. Select any row to load that scenario.
How the answer changes with games in season
Every other input is held at the calculator’s starting values while games in season varies. Select any row to load that scenario into the calculator.
How the answer changes with games in season