Thank you Cincinnati Reds!!! Like DQ said yesterday, the Reds are really helping the Astros cause in this Wild Card race. On Monday, the Reds scored 3 runs in the 9th inning to beat the Brewers 5-4 and then turned around on Tuesday and took the Brewers into the 11th inning and eventually beat the Brewers again 5-4. With the loss to the Padres on Sunday, the Brewers have now lost 3 games in a row and allowed the Astros to pick up 3 games on the Brewers in the NL Wild Card. Going into today's games, the Astros sit just 4 games out of the NL Wild card and while it is still a long shot... 4 games back today looks MUCH better than 7 games back going into Sunday.
I have some more good news... After today's game against the Reds, the Brewers start a 4 game series with the Phillies... As you can see above, the Phillies are another team that the Astros need to pass in the Wild Card. I guess a best case scenario for us would be for the Phillies to win 3 of 4 from the Brewers(although, a series split wouldn't be too bad either) and for the Astros to continue winning.
After the 4 game series with the Phillies, the Brewers head to Chicago for a 3 game series and then to Cincinnati for another 3 game series. The Phillies head to Atlanta and then to Florida after their series with the Brewers.
The other team not mentioned with a legitimate shot in the NL Wild Card is the Cardinals who started a series with the Cubs yesterday(winning 4-3). With a loss for the Cardinals today and a win for the Astros, the Astros could find themselves in 3rd place in the NL Wild Card behind the Phillies and Brewers. A loss for the Phillies as well today could have the Astros tied for 2nd in the NL Wild Card!
This could be a VERY interesting last 17 games of the season! Go 'Stros!