Did you hear that the Cubs have suggested that the Cardinals aren't trying to beat the Astros? That is one of the dumbest things I've heard all year. The Cubs don't need to be worrying about how other teams are playing. They just need to make sure that quit losing 2 of 3 to teams like the Mets down the stretch. The Mets!! After hearing about this, and since they lost to the Reds, I'm not worried about the Cubs. They are imploding. What was all that talk about Dusty Baker being a great manager? And the Giants have a tough schedule the rest of the way, but they have the X factor in Bonds. It is no longer a wise move to always walk him. The guys behind him have finally been driving him in, which they weren't doing enough of earlier in the season. I still like the Astros chances, though, especially if they can get win number 19 for the Rocket tonight. They just need to get him a couple more runs than he's had in his last two starts.
Even if Houston misses out on the postseason, who would have thought we would even be talking like this a month or so ago? You can't fault them for giving it their all down the stretch, even though they underachieved during the middle of the season. And how nice is it to see Carlos Beltran play? He's throwing guys out at third, at home, hitting triples, doing somersaults and should soon be only the third or fourth guy to be part of the 40/40 club. He's a complete player and is probably the smoothest runner I've seen in baseball. He barely looks like he's trying, but he's actually flying. Watching him leg out a triple is an absolute joy to watch. I just hope he's seen enough of Houston and likes the Astros enough to stay for a few more years.
