A Look Back... (Part Two)

That brings us to today. The Cardinals and the Braves have both played in 161 contests. They have both won 89 games and lost 72. Their paths have been very, very different. All of that is completely inconsequential. They both have 1 game left on their schedules. Tonight Chris Carpenter takes on Brett Myers of the Houston Astros. Tim Hudson, the Braves ace, faces Joe Blanton of the Phillies. A postseason berth is at stake. If both the Cardinals and the Braves have the same result, win-win or lose-lose, game 163 will be played tomorrow at 7:00 CT. 161 games, six months of struggle, highs, lows, tears of joy and pain, all rendered meaningless. All the matters is the next game (or two), and the ultimate goal will be realized... a spot in the playoffs.