With three games left in the regular season, here are some pertinent magic numbers. A magic number, in my own words, is the combination of one team’s wins and a competing team’s losses that when equaled will secure a better finish in the standings for the first team in question.

South Divison, Second Half Champion

Wisconsin Woodchucks = 2

With Wisconsin holding the tiebreaker against every team but La Crosse the Woodchucks magic number is 2 against all teams still in the race. Wisconsin, La Crosse, Eau Claire, and Green Bay all have four games remaining (suspended games to be completed Sunday) and Waterloo has just three. A win tonight for Wisconsin will eliminate Green Bay (they play each other) and any of the other teams that don’t win. That means Waterloo, La Crosse, and Eau Claire all must win tonight to stay in the race if Wisconsin wins. I’ll update this scenario after play on Saturday. With so many teams involved it’ll be a lot easier to explain tomorrow.

North Division, Second Playoff Participant

Mankato MoonDogs or Thunder Bay Border Cats = 3

This may not be scientific but for simplicity sake both of those teams have a magic number of three against Alexandria. If that number is reached by either, Mankato and Thunder Bay will meet in the playoffs. If it isn’t, Alexandria will win the North Division’s second half title. Alexandria is a 1/2 game back with three to play. Mankato hosts Thunder Bay tonight and will clinch home field advantage in the North playoffs with a win. That’s because they would clinch at least a tie for overall record with Thunder Bay and a win tonight would give Mankato a 5-3 advantage in head to head meetings, the first tiebreaker.

Things should be much clearer at the end of the night.

Curt Carstensen
Director of Operations
Northwoods League