The Cardinals Follow T.O.'s Lead

On September 16th, just 11 days ago, the St. Louis Cardinals were 7 games up on the Reds and 8 games up on the Astros with only 15 games to play. As of this morning, 10 games later, the Cardinals lead has dwindled to 1.5 over the Astros, and 2.5 over the Reds.

The Cardinals are in the midst of a seven game losing streak that has coincided perfectly with the Astros seven game win streak. If St. Louis muffs this, it would be the worst collapse since the 1964 Phillies blew a 6.5 game lead in the final two weeks of the season.

Last night, after establishing an early three-run lead over San Diego (aided by two Ronnie Belliard HRs and some shoddy Padres defense), the Cards were done in by a Padres 4-run seventh inning.

"The shoe seems to keep falling at some point in the game. I don't know how anybody can control that."

-Scott Rolen

My biggest question isn't how are the Cardinals blowing such a large lead this late in the season but how in the hell are they even in first place so late in the season? This Cardinals team just isn't that good. To me it's just more a reflection of the sorry state of the National League, most importantly, the Central division.

That said, I don't want to take away from what the Astros are doing right now. They're pitching well, they're hitting well, and they're taking advantage of every opportunity that comes their way.

The NL Central is going to be an interesting race to watch these final five days.