I was talking to a friend Monday who is a Cardinals fan. He said, it is between the Astros and the Cardinals. I countered that the Cubs have the easiest schedule. He countered that they are the Cubs, they always falter. I think the teams are pretty equal. All things being equal, I will order the teams by who I think has the easiest remaining schedule. I predict Cubs, Astros, Cardinals. Any thoughts?
Once we get Oswalt back it should be a coast ride to the finish. Cubs have great pitching. Cardinals have a great manager. both are good ball clubs, but the Astros just are better. We have all three. Good pitching (bull pen), hitting, and managing.
Astros, Cubs, Cards. Cards have tough schedule down the stretch, and I think the 'stros win with Roy back.
I believe the Astros have the easiest of the three...The cubs and cards bang on each other more the rest of the season...
I'd like to go with the 'Stros but the Cubs with Dusty just look tough with that pitching. Prior looks like he's gettin serious about now and their starting pitching is hard to overlook. I don't know that we can rely on the Villones, Robertsons, and Reddings to keep us in it down the stretch. I think all three have been doing it with smoke and mirrors. The Cubs have Estes who isn't that great, otherwise they're 4 deep with fireballers. I don't know what Clement's numbers are but he's as talented as Wade Miller IMHO. It will be tight!
The Astros have 31 games left including 17 against the West (LA - 5, SD - 6, SF - 3, COL - 3). They have 8 against the Brewers and 6 against the Cardinals. That breaks down to 14 games left against winning teams. The Cards have 16 games left against winning teams (Cubs - 7, Astros - 6 and D'backs - 3) The Cubs have 11 (Cards - 7 , Expos - 4). In addition the Cubs final 16 games are against the Reds, Pirates and Mets. It appears to me that the Cubs have far and away the easiest finishing schedule.
All because of Bagwell's shoulder which he refuses to get help for and because of Lidge not starting. SHEESH!!!
