Hey! Look at us!

[PopTop]

NL CENTRAL . . W . . L . . GB
St. Louis. . . 54. . 30. . --
Houston. . . . 41. . 42. . 12½ :clap:
Chicago. . . . 40. . 42. . 13
Milwaukee. . . 40. . 44. . 14
Pittsburgh . . 36. . 47. . 17½
Cincinnati . . 33. . 51. . 21

[barzilla]

No kidding, maybe lightening does strike twice.

[PopTop]

NL CENTRAL . . W . . L . . GB
St. Louis. . . 55. . 32. . --
Houston. . . . 44. . 43. . 11
Chicago. . . . 43. . 44. . 12
Milwaukee. . . 42. . 46. . 13½
Pittsburgh . . 39. . 48. . 16
Cincinnati . . 35. . 53. . 20½

So, let's see if I have this right...we opened the season by going 4-1, then went 11-29 our next 40 games to stand 15-30 on May 24th, then went 29-13 after that, including 17 of our last 22 to get to 44-43 overall, is that the way everyone else sees it?! :freak: What a nutty game!

[barzilla]

Just a random thought here folks. Last year we were 44-44 at the break (if memory serves. I know were .500 on the nose) so we are actually ahead of last year's pace by half a game. This doesn't even bring up the fact that we are spiking up now whereas last year we were floating adrift.

[PopTop]

Think you're right, Scott, about us being 44-44 at last year's break. The big difference is that we've already used one helluva' streak to get us at about the same mark this time, and still need a strong close to claim any playoff slot. I think we went to 4-games below .500 when Garner first took over, so the real key is this next roadtrip --- YIKES! :eek: --- 11 games on the road in 10 days, the schedule makers screw us up one more time as we get a 4-game ASG break instead of 3.

The key for the trip won't really be how we do in St. Louis, but how we do in Pittsburgh and DC after that. We have to at least split those series.

[rockin500]

we'll just have to make sure you go back to 3rd place when we meet up again soon. :D

what a schizo first half its been!

[barzilla]

No kidding Ray. I think you're more right about the DC series than you think Pops. For us to have a realistic wild card chance, either Atlanta or DC will have to collaspe. Now, who out there would put ANY money on Atlanta being the ones to falter? It sure wouldn't be me. If we can take care of business there it will make life a lot easier for us down the line.

[rockin500]

any money on atlanta faltering would be a sucker bet. bobby cox is just too good of a manager to let his rookies tank. especially after OUR performance down there (the only positive being Corey sent to AAA)

DC is probably important than St. Louis, I agree. eventually, that bullpen is going to wear down. and cordero is starting to look human lately (overuse?)

[barzilla]

Yeah, Patterson has had a brutal season. How huge have Lee and Ramirez been this season? Without them you guys would be nowhere.