Boxscore

Both the Brewers and the Mets collapsed at the end of last season. It’s funny how both have done so again this year. The only real difference is that this year, one of the teams will make the playoffs.

C. C. Sabathia started for the Brewers on short rest, but rest is not something Sabathia needs. That’s something required for lesser pitchers. He scoffs at the notion of rest. And of not injuring himself and losing the biggest free-agent jackpot of ever.

But I digress. Sabathia handled the Pirates, allowing just 1 run over 7 innings. He struck out 11, as well.

The win brought the Brewers back into a wild card tie with the New York Mets, who fell to the Chicago Cubs. There are 4 games left for both teams, so this should stay interesting.

Boxscore

The Astros continue to play with house money in their improbable charge for the playoffs. What was it? Just last month when the Central was divided into the haves and have nots? Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Louis all sat in the top three spots, distanced from the bottom half of the division by a double digit lead in games. Not anymore.

Houston has had as improbable and unexpected last few weeks as St. Louis did the beginning of the season. Only, it counts more at the end.

Miguel Tejada was the hero yesterday, belting a grand slam in the 5th inning to deliver Brian Moehler his 11th win on a silver platter.

Houston passed the Cardinals, who lost to the Cubs, for sole possession of 3rd place, and now are tied for second in the National League wild card race with Philadelphia, 4 games behind the Brewers.

It’s shaping up to be an exciting end to the season. Of course, the Pirates and the Reds both have nothing to do with that excitement.

Boxscore

The Reds celebrated elimination day yesterday by showing the world that the rebuilding Pirates are a better team than them. I wish they would have celebrated by firing Dusty Baker, but perhaps the club’s saving that for wild card elimination day next week.

I won’t get my hopes up.

Edinson Volquez wasn’t so good for the Reds, allowing 4 runs in 7 innings. He hasn’t been as good since the All Star break, either. Hopefully it has to do with not ever pitching at this high level of competition before. I’d hate for Cincinnati to have another Jack Armstrong.

This episode is recorded live on location at beautiful Victory Field in Indianapolis, Indiana. The last place Indianapolis Indians (Pirates’ affiliate) hosted the division leading Louisville Bats (Reds’ affiliate) as they always do during the holiday weekends.

The Bats had long since clinched the division, so it was hard to imagine that they’d put too much effort into their last series: 4-games against the cellar-dwellers (and that was just in Indy; afterward, they immediately took off for two more games in Louisville). But it was a good time anyway, seeing the Reds and Pirates of the future (and past *cough*Chris Duffy*cough*) defining themselves on the field.

We attended all four games, but only stayed for the duration on Saturday (darn school nights), so this program is the culmination of four days and about 20 innings of baseball spectatorship.

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Boxscore

The Bats phoned one in on Thursday. I imagine it’s hard to continue to be motivated when you clinched not just a playoff spot, but your division, so many weeks ago. Matt Maloney got pounded, allowing 7 runs in 3 2/3 innings. Not exactly the best audition for a September call-up.

How many McCutchen’s do the Indians need? Apparently as many as the Bats have Drews.

Hey, look. Matt Kata plays for the Indians, now.

The Bats threatened to score shortly before we had to call it a night. Out of 4 games in 4 nights, we saw the entirety of one game. This was not that game.