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SportsJustice
A sports blog with Richard Justice
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September 09, 2008
Who doesn't like Randy Wolf now? Astros 4 back.
The Astros trail the Brewers by four games in the race for the NL wild-card berth. They're a single loss behind the Phillies and Cardinals. Roll those thoughts around in your head.
NL Central standings since the All-Star break
<TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: left" cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=2 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Astros
</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">34-16</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">.680</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">--</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Brewers
</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">30-20
</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">.600</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">4</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Cubs
</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">29-20
</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">.592</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">4 1/2</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Cardinals</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">25-23
</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">.521</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">8</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Reds
</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">20-29
</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">.408
</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">13 1/2</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">Pirates
</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">16-34</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-FAMILY: arial">.320
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Yes, this thing is still improbable. There's 17 games left and almost no margin for error. The Astros still have three teams in front of them.
So forget the math and enjoy the ride. The Brewers just lost to the Reds in 11 innings. That's seven losses in nine games, all at home. The Phillies lost earlier this evening.
The Astros are baseball's hottest team and might very well be baseball's best team. At least they're in the conversation after winning for the 12th time in 13 games. They're 45-27 since June 20 and 34-16 since the All-Star break.
They've come a long way since that night in Baltimore when they packed their bags after being swept by the Orioles. They'd lost eight in a row and were 33-40 when they flew to Tampa for a weekend series with the Rays.
About all that happened that weekend was that Shawn Chacon got thrown off the team. He got in a fight with GM Ed Wade the following Monday. Maybe the Florida sunshine did something to the boys because they're 45-27 since.
What happened? Lots of things. Wade acquired Randy Wolf and LaTroy Hawkins. Chris Sampson solidified the bullpen. Carlos Lee got hurt, but Ty Wigginton got hot. Ty Wigginton got hurt and Darin Erstad got hot. Brandon Backe got hurt and Alberto Arias stepped in.
Mark Saccomanno hit the first big league pitch he ever saw out of the park. In other words, the Astros did the kinds of things all good teams do. They found heros in the most unlikely places.
Their chances are still slim, but with 17 games left, they're back in the conversation. If I write them off at 33-40 next season, someone should slap some sense into me.
I don't know about you, but I loved the Randy Wolf trade from day one. Sure, some of you thought it was silly. You wondered why Wade took on an additional $3.5 million in payroll in a lost season.
That's why you should always listen to me on these matters. I knew these kids had a push left in them. I knew the season wasn't lost. You'd think I'd get tired of being right all the time, but I don't. Frankly, I'm used to it.
Anyway, the Astros are 8-1 in games started by Wolf. If they end up slipping into the playoffs on the final day of the regular season, Wade will deserve a double-playoff share for getting Randy Wolf.
Wolf overcame a slow start to pitch seven solid innings Tuesday as the Astros won for the 12th time in 13 games and Lance Berkman continued to inch his way up many MVP ballots.
Albert Pujols is leading the NL in OPS, BA, OBP and slugging. Lance Berkman is second in OPS and slugging and third in BA and OBP. Chipper Jones is second in BA and OBP, third in OPS and sixth in slugging.
Carlos Delgado's monster second half is going to get him in the picture as well. Ryan Ludwick and Matt Holliday will also get votes.
• • •
Roundup of linkposts:
The Milwaukee Brewers' offense remained broken Tuesday night. The question is: Can they find somebody to repair it before it sinks the team? They have scored just 24 runs in the nine games on the home stand while batting .216.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Funny thing. Just a few days ago, I was e-mailing with Lance Armstrong about a mutual friend, precious to those who know him, who has come down with a sudden case of lung tumors. Lance responded as anyone who has gone to him on cancer matters has come to expect, with the name of an oncologist, a string of swear words at once seething and sympathetic.
Sally Jenkins
