It's almost September, so that means that the Cubs 4th annual trip to the playoffs is almost here. 

That's why Cubs fans need to save this website to their bookmarks. 

That's going to tell you the up to date Cubs magic number to clinch the NL Central.

As of this morning, it sits at 28.

What's a magic number? Glad you asked.

THE CHICAGO CUBS MAGIC NUMBER IS CALCULATED USING THE FOLLOWING EQUATION: TOTAL NUMBER OF GAMES + 1 - WINS BY THE CUBS - LOSSES BY NL CENTRAL OPPONENT WITH FEWEST LOSSES.

THE MAGIC NUMBER IS AFFECTED BY ONE OF TWO EVENTS: A CUBS WIN OR THAT BEST OPPONENT LOSING. THE NUMBER IS 163 AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON. WHEN THE NUMBER HITS 0, THE CUBS HAVE CLINCHED THE NL CENTRAL AND ARE IN THE PLAYOFFS!

So every time the Cubs win a game the number goes down. Every time the team in second place, right now the Cardinals or Brewers, loses a game the number goes down.

You can follow all the Cubs action all the way to the World Series right here on 1440 WROK.

More From Rockford's New Country Q98.5