Following the Cubs win over the Pirates on Thursday afternoon, the Cardinals turned around and handled Milwaukee 6-3, knocking the magic number down to a dozen games.
Cardinals magic number to clinch the Central Division — 12
Cardinals 92-54
Pittsburgh 87-59
The Royals finished the series in Cleveland with an 8-4 win and the Twins stumbled once more losing a high-scoring game to the Angels, 11-8. The Royals number is down to a half-dozen games.
Royals magic number to clinch the Central Division — 6
Royals 86-60
Minnesota 75-71
The magic number is determined by taking 163 and subtracting the number of wins for the Cardinals (or Royals) and subtracting the number of losses for the Pirates (and Twins) respectively.