The Chicago White Sox didn't make any progress toward clinching a postseason berth Monday night, but their position in the American League playoff race remains strong.
Chicago lost 6–3 to the Houston Astros, dropping to 72–65 and reducing its lead over the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central to three games.
Despite the loss, the White Sox's two key magic numbers remain unchanged.
Chicago's playoff magic number is still 22, while its AL Central division magic number remains 23.
That means the White Sox remain in an unusual position where clinching the division and simply securing a postseason berth could happen at nearly the same time.
White Sox playoff odds remain above 90%
The loss did have a small effect on Chicago's postseason probability.
RosterSpin's playoff model now gives the White Sox a 93% chance of reaching the playoffs, down from 95% before Monday's game.
The model runs 25,000 simulations of the remaining MLB schedule to estimate each team's chances of reaching the postseason.
Chicago also remains the clear favorite in the AL Central. RosterSpin currently gives the White Sox an 83% chance of winning the division, compared with 16% for Cleveland.
The Guardians sit three games behind Chicago at 69–68.
What the White Sox need
Chicago's division magic number of 23 represents any combination of White Sox wins and losses by their closest AL Central challenger totaling 23.
Its playoff magic number of 22 works similarly against the postseason cutoff.
Monday's loss didn't help either number, but it also didn't dramatically change Chicago's overall position.
With 25 games remaining, the White Sox still control the AL Central and remain overwhelming favorites in RosterSpin's model to reach October.
The Astros series, however, is only beginning.
Chicago has three more games remaining in Houston, giving the White Sox another opportunity to strengthen their playoff position, or potentially give Cleveland an opening to make the AL Central race considerably tighter.