Cubs and Astros and Cardinals

The Cubs won 9-6 today. I think Mark Guthrie has become this week's Antonio Alfonseca. I'm thinking Guthrie might need three or four days' rest. Or something.

The Astros also won, shutting out the fast-fading Cardinals 2-0.

Dude. The Astros, who are still up one full game, are just as hot as the Cubs. If not hotter. They might be hard to catch.

If I were a Cardinals fan, I'm thinking tomorrow's game is absolutely a must-win situation. If they win tomorrow, they'll be 3 1/2 games back with three more games to play against the Astros.

But if they lose, they're 5 1/2 back. And with two weeks left in the season, that's damn near insurmoutable. Even if you sweep the Astros the next time you play them, you're still 2 1/2 back.

However. If there is a streaky division, it is the National League Central.