How the Brewers can clinch a playoff spot, NL Central title during their series against the Reds

It's been yet another banner season in Milwaukee, with the Brewers thoroughly stomping the Cubs over the past week and change. That stretch has them in perfect position to secure their fifth division title in the past six years, making the rest of the schedule prior to October a mere formality.

However, we aren't quite ready for celebration yet. We're still pretty early into September all things considered, and Magic Number season has only just begun.

The good news is that the Crew have opened up such a wide gap in both the division and at-large National League standings that we may not have to delay the popping of the corks for too much longer. In fact, if everything breaks right (i.e., the Brewers keep winning and the Cubs keep losing), we could have the NL Central sewn up by the end of the weekend.

Milwaukee Brewers Magic Number analysis following destruction of Cubs

Heading into their weekend series against the Reds, the Brewers sit at 91-56, a whole 10 games ahead of the Cubs for first place in the division. With just 15 games left to play, that lead appears insurmountable.

So, let's break down the Magic Number scenarios for this weekend. To secure a playoff spot, that number is effectively just one. For more on why the Brewers' Magic Number to clinch a postseason spot is just one, be sure to check out the explanation from JR Radcliffe of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, which is linked below for your convenience. So, if the Brewers beat the Reds tonight, or if both the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres lose, then Milwaukee will be back in the postseason for the fourth consecutive year and eighth time in the last nine years. But the Brewers' sights are set on bigger things than securing a spot in the postseason; they want to win the NL Central and eventually earn the top overall seed.

Brewers will clinch playoff spot with next victory. Here's a breakdown

The number to win the NL Central again is five. Everyone else but the Cubs is eliminated from contention in this regard, so some combination of Brewers wins and Cubs losses that adds up to five will grant the Crew another division title. That means the earliest we can celebrate is Sunday, assuming the North Siders cooperate by losing a few times to the Pirates this weekend.

If your aspirations are larger than just a division title, then you'll want to turn your attention to the race for the best record in baseball (and, subsequently, the No. 1 seed in the NL). The Brewers currently have a 1.5-game lead over the Dodgers for that honor, so the magic number is at 14. Milwaukee could do themselves a lot of favors by going on a hot streak down the stretch, especially since the Dodgers get to play a ridiculously easy schedule over the final few weeks of the regular season.

With a 100-win season now in sight for the first time in franchise history, there's going to be plenty to celebrate over the coming weeks. Let's just hope the Brewers can keep these good vibes lasting deep into October.

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