The Pittsburgh Pirates seemed to want to give the Miami Marlins a bad time yesterday, but Skip Schumaker’s men came back and scored a very important win in the playoff race that currently prevails in the National League.
With this gain, the Marlins are getting closer to a playoff spot and want to do it in 161 games at all costs, while avoiding returning to New York and facing the Mets on Monday.
Remember that the Marlins and the Mets were unable to complete their clash last Thursday, when the visitors were ahead 2-1 in the ninth inning. This round should logically be resumed on Monday, but it would be ridiculous to do so when the Marlins could qualify by then.
Yesterday, the Marlins scored four runs in the eighth inning and escaped with a 4-3 victory.
Miami and the Arizona Diamondbacks, even if they lost their duel against the Houston Astros, are in a good position to continue their season beyond the regular schedule.
The Chicago Cubs, who suffered a fourth straight loss yesterday by losing in an extra inning to the Brewers in Milwaukee and the Cincinnati Reds, will likely run out of time to rank for the next stage.
David Ross’s men have chosen a very bad time to experience a slump. Ian Happ, with his 21st home run of the season, had allowed his team to tie the game at three in the ninth inning, but the Brewers were quick to rectify the situation in the tenth and win their 91st game of the season.
In St. Louis, the Cincinnati Reds scored no less than 19 points against the Cardinals in a game where Adam Wainwright came to greet his fans as a substitute hitter. But these fireworks from the Reds may not be enough to get a glimpse of a place in the playoffs.
The Diamondbacks and Marlins therefore have their destiny in their hands, while the Cubs and Reds will have to rely on others in order to maintain their chances. For their part, the Philadelphia Phillies comfortably occupy the first chair of best second.
Could Miami and Arizona carry their last-day energy into the playoffs and cause surprises? The answer will come fairly quickly as the real season begins on October 3, in Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Tampa Bay and Minnesota.
