according to mlb and espn it is 12. you should check the wildcard not the full standings. the red sox magic number is the magic number over the rangers.
I guess there are many ways to do it. 163-lead teams wins-second place loses=magic number.
i have never heard of this second way you. do it. take the games remaining add one then subtracting the games ahead in the loss column. i always thought is was the 163 was the way. i guess they all work.
say that the Yankees are 100-61 and the Red Sox 99-62. you say the magic number is zero saying that the sox could not tie. what happens if the red sox would beat the yankees.