Does houston have a chance at winning the central ?

[bigboydan]

The Astros seem to be making a last minute surge for that NL central crown. They have won 4 straight games, and beat the Cardinals 3 games in a row in this weekends series.

The Astros have a pertty much a cup cake schedule remaining, after tonights game with ST.Louis, and tomorrows game with Philly. Mean while the cardinals do play SD this week.

Does anyone think Houston might have a legit shot at the division, even though the magic number is 5 for the Cards ?

[moses millsap]

I think Oakland or St. Louis will choke away their divisons. Actually, probably both, since I predicted an Oakland/St. Louis World Series. And, then watch the improbable Anaheim/Houston series

[RickySteve]

If you bet Houston +5000 to win the NL Central, you'd be taking the worst of it.

[tacomax]

I'd love the Astros to beat the Cards.

[RickySteve]

I'd love the Astros to beat the Cards.

Me too. It would be a $3000 swing for me. Unfortunately there's just too little season left for it to be realistic.

[bigboydan]

Thats the be draw back obviously, the time factor that is. Although, they are only 3.5 games out right now, and a cup cake schedule down the streach. The Cardinals do have 3 against SD, so the astros can realisticly make up a game or two right there.

[RickySteve]

Completing the sweep today was huge. Now they're maybe 25-1 to pull off the division. St. Louis is so horrible I can't bear to see them in the post-season.

[RickySteve]

All of Houston's games are on the road and all of St Louis' games are at home. It's over.

[bigboydan]

I tend to agree with you there Ricky about watching the Cardinals playing in the post season. Larussa is already starting to make excuses i've noticed. His biggest one yet is not having Izzy.

[Bulldog]

No chance... not at all imo...

[Willie Bee]

Do they have a chance? Yes. Is it a good chance? No.

Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have historically been very tough locales on the Astros. And Atlanta, in my opinion, is going to treat their weekend series against Houston like it's the playoffs since the Braves won't be in the postseason for the first time since the James Madison administration.

Interesting, to me at least, is what could happen if the Astros pull off the unthinkable this week and they sit within a half-game, ahead or behind, with the Cards at the end of play next Sunday. St. Louis would have to make up a rainout with the Giants the following day (Mon, Oct 2). The result of that could then throw Houston and the Cards into a tie for the NL Central which would necessitate a 1-game playoff between those two the following day (Tue, Oct 3).

Would be a wild ending to what has been a pretty strange and, in many ways, unpredictable season. But I'm afraid it's just a wild notion in the end as Houston has simply waited too long to get their asses in gear.

[RickySteve]

Interesting, to me at least, is what could happen if the Astros pull off the unthinkable this week and they sit within a half-game, ahead or behind, with the Cards at the end of play next Sunday. St. Louis would have to make up a rainout with the Giants the following day (Mon, Oct 2). The result of that could then throw Houston and the Cards into a tie for the NL Central which would necessitate a 1-game playoff between those two the following day (Tue, Oct 3).

That looming makeup game does make this a lot more interesting. I wonder how the Giants will react to having to travel to St Louis after the official end of the season to play a game which means nothing to them. A playoff for the Central on Oct. 3 would be wild, since the Division Series' start that day also. How would they determine home field for that?

[bigboydan]

I don't know who would host that gmae Ricky. I know they flipped a coins already though. Because I know the Phillies won one of the coin flips.

[moses millsap]

They are cooked. Carpenter will probably throw a gem and LaRussa will leave him in until he's surrendered 5+ runs, then take him out, turning another W into a L.

[clonecat]

They are cooked. Carpenter will probably throw a gem and LaRussa will leave him in until he's surrendered 5+ runs, then take him out, turning another W into a L.

100% agree on LaRussa overusing pitchers. No wonder they fall apart in late August and September every year or go on the DL with arm problems. I would have no confidence if I had Braden Looper in my bullpen either, but think long term as a manager.

[bigboydan]

They are cooked. Carpenter will probably throw a gem and LaRussa will leave him in until he's surrendered 5+ runs, then take him out, turning another W into a L.

The best thing to do right now with Carpenter right now IF your planning on betting the Cardinals right now, is betting the first 5 innings line.

Carpenter seems to be throwing alot of pitches early in the game. He should get at least 5 good innings at least even with a high pitch count.

[bigboydan]

I don't know who would host that gmae Ricky. I know they flipped a coins already though. Because I know the Phillies won one of the coin flips.

I just found out that the Cardinals did lose the coin flip Ricky, if it comes down too it that is.

[bigboydan]

This race isn't over just yet. I see Houston just won again tonight, and the Cardinals just blew the lead, and now trailing to the Padres 6-5 in the top of the 7th.

[clonecat]

They are cooked. Carpenter will probably throw a gem and LaRussa will leave him in until he's surrendered 5+ runs, then take him out, turning another W into a L.

ESP

[denn333]

if they tie shouldn't houston win the division based on better record against the cardinals ?

[moses millsap]

ESP

I bought some of those special SBR magical beans

[bigboydan]

I bought some of those special SBR magical beans

So you bought those from taco too uh

[tacomax]

Fcuker never paid me. I'm going to set the bears on him.

[moses millsap]

Fcuker never paid me. I'm going to set the bears on him.

They cut off my ** privileges. Sorry about that, I'll send the $500 to you via horse carriage ASAP.

[Willie Bee]

That looming makeup game does make this a lot more interesting. I wonder how the Giants will react to having to travel to St Louis after the official end of the season to play a game which means nothing to them. A playoff for the Central on Oct. 3 would be wild, since the Division Series' start that day also. How would they determine home field for that?

That SF-STL makeup game could be made up if the Cardinals finish a half-game behind the NL West winners in terms of best record. St. Louis could opt to make the game up even if it doesn't mean anything between them and Houston, and play it to decide who would be the official #2-seed in the NL playoffs for home field in the LDS.

Partly because I'm an Astros fan, I'm rooting for the Oct 3rd NL Central showdown to happen. But the main reason I'm hoping for it is it would really screw up the networks as far as scheduling the entire opening round, and I love to screw with the networks

[Timmyg]

I think they have a very good chance of picking up a game this evening.

[RickySteve]

if they tie shouldn't houston win the division based on better record against the cardinals ?

That is the tiebreaker only if both teams make the playoffs, which in this case is just a hair short of impossible.

[RickySteve]

That SF-STL makeup game could be made up if the Cardinals finish a half-game behind the NL West winners in terms of best record. St. Louis could opt to make the game up even if it doesn't mean anything between them and Houston, and play it to decide who would be the official #2-seed in the NL playoffs for home field in the LDS.

Partly because I'm an Astros fan, I'm rooting for the Oct 3rd NL Central showdown to happen. But the main reason I'm hoping for it is it would really screw up the networks as far as scheduling the entire opening round, and I love to screw with the networks

If Cincinnati also manages to tie, then all hell breaks loose. There would be TWO playoffs for the NL Central after the STL-SFG makeup game.

b. Tie among three teams. If the tied teams have identical records against each other, the League President shall supervise a draw which results in the tied teams being designated the A, B and C teams. A will play B at the home field of A, the day after the conclusion of the championship season. The following day, C will play the winner of A-B at the winner’s home field. The winner of the game shall be declared the Division Champion. When, however, the tied teams do not have identical records against each other, their designation as the A, B, or C teams shall be determined as follows:

1. Team 1 has better record against both Team 2 and Team 3, and Team 2 has better record against Team 3: Team 1 chooses designation as A, B or C team, and Team 2 chooses from remaining choices;
2. Team 1 has better record against both Team 2 and Team 3, and Team 2 and Team 3 have same record against each other: Team 1 chooses designation as A, B or C team and League President supervises draw between Teams 2 and 3 for remaining choices;
3. Team 1 and Team 2 have same record against each other but better record against Team 3: League President supervises draw between Teams 1 and 2. Winner chooses designation as A, B or C team and loser chooses from remaining choices;
4. Team 1 has better record against Team 2, Team 2 has better record against Team 3, and Team 3 has better record against Team 1: Rank teams on the basis of overall winning percentage within the three-team group; team(s) with higher percentages select designation as A, B or C teams(s); when two or more teams tied in overall winning percentage, League President supervises draw between teams so tied.

[bigboydan]

The Cardinals finally broke there 7 game losing streak tonight. Although, the Astros won again too. I still think the way the Cards are playing right now they are gonna end up blowing this division.

[bigboydan]

The Astros won again today. This is definately going to be interesting this weekend.

[RickySteve]

GO BREWERS!!!!

2 runs in the 1st!

[bigboydan]

it's 3-0 now ricky.

[bigboydan]

it's 3-0 now ricky.

make that 4-0 brewers now ricky.

are you starting to believe you really have a legit shot at winning your bet now ??

[RickySteve]

make that 4-0 brewers now ricky.

are you starting to believe you really have a legit shot at winning your bet now ??

If St. Louis loses tonight they'll be about 2-1 to win the Central. I like my chances at the price I'm getting. If the public goes crazy, I'll probably buy back on St Louis.

Now if Cincy could pull out a miracle I'd really be dancing.

[bigboydan]

Don't get greedy with Cincy Ricky