Sports Magic Numbers
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Pittsburgh Pirates (PIT)

National League – Central • Record: 53-52 (0.505)
Race:

Seed Chasing Arizona Diamondbacks for a wild card spot (2 game(s) back)
Numbers Magic path: chasing wild card — 11 rivals contending for 3 spots
Magic # 58
Tragic # 56
Playoff odds 26.2%
Division 0.2% • Wild card 26.0%
Full league odds →
Magic counts down to clinching — drops as you win or bubble teams lose.
Tragic counts down to elimination — drops as you lose or the chaser wins.

Playoff pace

On pace for 82 wins • typical playoff line ≈ 86 wins
Line = final wins of each season's last team in, averaged over the past 4 seasons.
-4 behind the line

Tonight's rooting guide


Live rooting guide — it updates as games go final, so items may disappear.
Showing remaining games that can still affect your numbers.
Your game
  • If Pittsburgh Pirates beat Chicago Cubs tonight, your Magic number -1.
    Magic -1
  • If Pittsburgh Pirates lose to Chicago Cubs tonight, your Magic number -1 and your Tragic number -1.
    Magic -1Tragic -1

What-if explorer

Drag the sliders — the numbers recalculate instantly using the site's real playoff math.
If Pittsburgh Pirates go 5-5 while Arizona Diamondbacks go 5-5:
Magic # 58 → 48Magic -10 Tragic # 56 → 46Tragic -10
Assumes these games come against teams outside your race; every other rival's record stays as-is.

Draft lottery outlook

If the season ended today: lottery seed No. 18 — a 0.2% chance at the No. 1 pick and an expected pick of 17.7.

Full draft order & lottery simulator →

Frequently asked questions

What is the Pittsburgh Pirates magic number right now?

The Pittsburgh Pirates magic number is currently 58. Any combination of Pittsburgh Pirates wins and losses by the team chasing them that adds up to 58 clinches a playoff spot.

What is the Pittsburgh Pirates elimination number?

The Pittsburgh Pirates elimination number is 56. When it hits 0 the team is mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. It shrinks when the Pittsburgh Pirates lose or when the team chasing them gains ground.

What are the Pittsburgh Pirates playoff odds?

Based on 10,000 simulations of the remaining schedule, the Pittsburgh Pirates make the playoffs in about 26.2% of outcomes.

What is a magic number in baseball?

A magic number is the combined total of team wins and chasing-team losses that guarantees a playoff spot. When it reaches 0, the spot is clinched no matter what happens in the remaining games.

When did the Pittsburgh Pirates last make the playoffs?

The Pittsburgh Pirates last made the MLB playoffs in 2015. They have missed 10 straight postseasons.

When did the Pittsburgh Pirates last win the World Series?

The Pittsburgh Pirates have won 5 World Series titles, most recently in 1979.

How often are these numbers updated?

Standings and magic numbers on Sports Magic Numbers refresh throughout the day and after every MLB game, so the numbers here reflect the live playoff race.

Full guide: how magic numbers work →