Wild Card Update

Thank the Dodgers for making this 7 Dwarfs+1 race so much fun.

A disastrous loss in Chicago assured three things: L.A.'s presumed win in the NL West is anything but assured. Two, the Padres' late-inning stumble in Cincinnati cost San Diego a day off the calendar but not a game in the standings. Meanwhile, the ancient Giants are like sharks sniffing for blood in the water out west. Faster than you can say Bobby Thomson, the franchise most hated by the Bums is creeping closer to the top of the division.

Out in middle America, you just know that the Cardinals will find it very sweet to put another nail in the fast-fading Astros' coffin by completing a three-game sweep tonight.

You remember the 'Stros, the team Houston manager Phil Garner said could not afford to lose another game this season - three losses ago!

The Phillies, the team that still has the easiest path to the playoffs because of the poor records of the teams left on their schedule, could help themselves tremendously with a doubleheader sweep tonight, but won't do it if the offense does not wake up.

Sure, Pat Burrell and his bat are toast, but can somebody else please step up! Ryan Howard cannot do it alone.

Here is the tale of the tape heading into tonight's games:

Los Angeles: 76-68 (32-41, road) Games left: 18 10 home, eight road
Games remaining against teams at least five games over .500: Four (vs. San Diego)

San Diego: 74-69 (36-32, road) Games left: 19 Six home, 13 road
Games remaining against teams at least five games over .500: Seven (Four at L.A., three at St. Louis)

San Francisco 73-71 (33-39, road) Games left: 18 Nine home, nine road
Games remaining against teams at least five games over .500: Six (three at St. Louis, three vs. L.A.)

Florida 73-72 (33-38, road) Games left: 17 Seven home, 10 road
Games remaining against teams at least five games over .500: Five (one vs. Mets, four at Mets)
Philadelphia 72-71 (36-33, road) Games left: 19 Seven home, 12 road Games remaining against teams at least five games over .500: Zero

Cincinnati 72-72 (33-26, road) Games left: 18 Six home, 12 road
Games remaining against teams at least five games over .500: Two (vs. San Diego)

Houston 70-74 (32-41, road) Games left: 18 Ten home, eight road
Games remaining against teams at least five games over .500: Five (one at St. Louis, four vs. St. Louis)

Atlanta 69-74 (36-38, road) Games left: 19 12 home, seven road
Games remaining against teams at least five games over .500: Three (vs. Mets)