By Craig Elliott

The Astros dropped a deuce in St. Louis (and weren’t even at the airport) but did manage to pick up the series finale. They’re still six games back of the Jakes, and five behind the Padres in the wildcard race. Plus the dumbass Reds pulled ahead again, though the Astros get to deal with them soon enough.

Philly just took two of three from the ATL, and are tied with the Giants at 2.5 games behind the Pet Shop Boys. Ryan Howard is up to 56 homers now, while Utley has 28 and Burrell has 24.

If the Astros are going to make a run at the wildcard, they have to knock off the Phillies right now. And without pulling a groin.

When:
Friday, September 15, 7:05 p.m. CDT – FSN
Saturday, September 16, 12:45 p.m. CDT – Fox
Sunday, September 17, 1:05 p.m. CDT – FSN

MLB Extra Innings – Friday and Sunday’s games will be on Fox Southwest. Saturday’s game is a Fox national broadcast.

Where: MMPUS

This is the last homestand of the year, unless Scrap Iron can pull another wildcard miracle out of his ass.

Giveaways this weekend include picture frames on Friday and black Astros hats on Saturday. Also, kids can run the bases again Sunday, and parents can enjoy the hilarity as Willy Taveras guns down any lollygaggers at second.

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By Limey

2 out of 3 from the Brewers was the bare minimum. If you think the bare minimum is enough, then ok. But some people choose to do more and we encourage that, ok? Now the Astros roll into New Jake City to see if they can make a charge for the division title as well as keeping up with the wild card race. A bad week, and both will be lost causes.

The 3rds are in the process of backing in to the playoffs. Losers of 6 of their last 10, 4 of their last 5, and 3 of their last 3. They just dropped 3 of 4 to the Snakes; a series that included a 13-run mauling when Wandony Reyes gave up 7 runs in 2.1 innings, and a 1-hit, CG shut out spun by Webb. That’s a whole lot of poop; they’re down and now would be a bad time to let these guys pick themselves up.

When:
Monday, September 11, 7:10 p.m. CDT – FSN & FSN HD
Tuesday, September 12, 7:10 p.m. CDT – FSN & FSN HD
Wednesday, September 13, 1:10 p.m. CDT – FSN & FSN HD

MLB Extra Innings – Hopefully some concerned and helpful TZer will fill this part in for me.

Where: New Busch

As any red-blooded male will tell you, new busch is better than old busch.

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By Craig Elliott

Lance Berkman’s excellent three-run double Wednesday, and WillyT’s gun, gave the Astros a split in Philly. The rained-out game will be made up in the last week of the season, before the trip to Pittsburgh. The Astros are still 6.5 games behind the Jakes and have seven games left with them. In the wildcard race, the Pet Shop Boys are still on top with the Astros five games behind. Four teams are also between Houston and San Diego.

That gasping and wheezing sound you hear is the Cincinnati Reds about to fall behind the Astros. The Reds are still a half-game ahead going into the weekend series, but their tits are dragging down the stretch. A fatal stumble is imminent.

The Brewers just took two of three from the Dodgers, but before that series they had a 10-game losing streak (which included a sweep by the Astros). The Brewers are pretty much out of the playoff race now, and trying to finish 17-5 to end the season with a winning record. Good luck with that.

When:
Friday, September 8, 7:05 p.m. CDT – FSN
Saturday, September 9, 6:05 p.m. CDT – KNWS
Sunday, September 10, 1:05 p.m. CDT – FSN

MLB Extra Innings – Friday and Saturday’s games will get the sausage treatment, while Sunday’s game will be on Fox Southwest. Remember to turn your brats with tongs, not forks, or Bernie Brewer will kick you in the nuts.

Where: Miller Park

In other Wisconsin news, the Packers open at home Sunday against the Bears. The crowd may be sparse at Miller Park to see the matchup between TBA and Dave Bush.

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