Make or Break is the best phrase to call it. This week, the Cardinals host the Houston Astros for a three game set. The Cardinals come in with a record of 75-67, the Astros sit at 70-72. They both have 20 games remaining. The Cardinals lead the Astros by 5 full games. Now before I go on, let's not forget about the Reds who sit at 71-72 and 4.5 games out. Currently the Cardinals magic numbers on the Reds is 16, the Astros 15. The Reds sit idle on Monday before facing the Padres for three starting Tuesday.
This series maybe the most important of the year for the Cardinals. They start a 6 game home stand with the Astros and Giants. Most Cardinal fans realize this team is just mediocre at best, but the one common denominator is, "let's see postseason baseball". If the Cardinals want to play in Mid October, they must send a message this week to the Astros(last years NL champs).. A sweep of the Astros would essentially bury them, at 8 games back with 17 to go. But, most importantly the Cardinals need to win 2 of 3 from the Astros, and the NL Central can be won for the third straight year.
If the Astros win 2 of 3, or sweep, they will have TON of momentum not only the rest of this week, but also next week when the Cardinals invade Houston for a big four game series.. 7 games against the next best team in the division, the Cardinals need to win 4 of those 7!!!
Let's break down the series.. On Monday, a pitchers duel looks to be in store. Chris Carpenter, the NL's leading ERA guy goes against the Astros lefty Andy Pettitte. We all know the Cardinals struggle against lefties. On Tuesday, Jeff Weaver faces Chris Sampson in what looks to be a game in which favors the Cardinals. And on Wednesday Jason Marquis will square off against Roy Oswalt- advantage Astros.
It could come down to this. Let's see what the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals are made of. It's time for Albert magic this week. A successful week in St. Louis and we, Cardinal fans, will be once again enjoy postseason baseball!
- APCman