Now or never! All or nothing! Do or die! Those are just a few ways to describe the mission at hand for the Cardinals (88-71) as they have 3 games against the Houston Astros (55-104) to extend their season. The Monday through Wednesday series is the fifth and final meeting between these two clubs. The Redbirds are in search of the franchise’s 24th all-time postseason appearance and the first since 2009.

The Atlanta Braves (89-70) host the Philadelphia Phillies, the NL East Division Champions, to wrap up their regular season. Their Monday through Wednesday games are each scheduled to start at 6:10pm (CT). Through 15 games against the Phillies this season, the Braves have gone 6-9 and have been outscored 67-42. Scheduled to pitch for the Braves are Randall Delgado (1-1, 2.70), Derek Lowe (9-16, 4.92), and Tim Hudson (16-10, 3.23). The Phillies have listed Cliff Lee (16-8, 2.32), Roy Oswalt (8-10, 3.86), and Cole Hamels (14-9, 2.75) as their probable starters.

UPI/Bill Greenblatt

Though they have locked up the top seed in the NL for the playoffs, the Phillies want to head into the playoffs with a series win. They had recently dropped eight straight, but put an end to that on Sunday with a 9-4 win over the New York Mets. Sunday was the first time since September 17 that the Phillies had their regulars back in the starting lineup. If the Cardinals make the playoffs, then they would face the Phils in the NL Division Series.

For the Cardinals to clinch the Wild Card or force a tiebreaker game, which would take place in St. Louis, they need the Phillies to win at least one game. If that is all Philly can manage, then the Cardinals would have to sweep the Astros to force an extra game. The Cardinals can actually afford to lose twice, but then they would need the Braves to be swept. The most ideal way, which would probably be an outright clinch, is for the Cardinals to win all their games and for the Braves to lose twice.

Looking at the Cardinals:

UPI/Bill Greenblatt

Kudos to the 2011 St. Louis Cardinals for making a run that look to be so unlikely just a few weeks ago. Through there has been devastating injuries, distractions, adversity, and personnel changes, the Redbirds have finally put things together. The heartbreaking 8-6 loss to the Mets last Thursday still lingers, yet a series win over the Chicago Cubs along with a couple Braves’ losses has made this the most exciting playoff race for the Cardinals in some time.

Against the Astros over 12 games this season, the Cardinals have done well scoring 5.5 runs per game while only allowing 3.7 runs. Six of their games have been decided by 2 runs or less. At Minute Maid Park, the Cardinals have hit well scoring 6.5 runs per game along with a .294 team batting average, 9 home runs, and 14 doubles. Redbirds at Minute Maid Park has struggled somewhat with a staff ERA of 3.96 and 11 hits allowed per game. Cardinals’ pitching has been real impressive, especially since making a trade for Edwin Jackson, Octavio Dotel, and Marc Rzepczynski on July 27. A staff 2.93 ERA since that point, the bullpen also got back Kyle McClellan and saw Jason Motte catch on fire.

Looking at the Astros:

UPI/Bill Greenblatt

The 2011 Houston Astros set the franchise mark for the most losses in a season over their 50 seasons, plus the most in a season since losing 97 games in 1991. On Sunday in their 19-3 loss to the Colorado Rockies, the Astros set more all-time marks. The 19 runs and 26 hits allowed were both the second-most in franchise history. Currently, the Astros are the only club in the Major Leagues to have the number 100 in their record, and they may be only the one to do so this season if a couple of others do not win or lose over the next few days.

Right after their previous series with the Cardinals in St. Louis, the Astros made some changes that included the trades of Hunter Pence to the Phillies and Michael Bourn to the Braves. Since dealing both of those All-Star players, the Astros have gone 20-31. Their offense over the last 51 games has a .255 team batting average, 3.8 run average, 34 home runs, and 36 stolen bases.

Probable pitchers for the series:

Monday: LHP Jaime Garcia (13-7, 3.45) vs. LHP Wandy Rodriguez (11-11, 3.51)

UPI/Bill Greenblatt

- Jaime Garcia will be looking for his first career victory in Houston. Garcia’s only outings at Minute Maid Park took place this season on April 26 and June 8. In the 10.1 innings pitched, Garcia has given up 7 runs (6 earned) on 13 hits, one home run, and 4 walks. Garcia and the Cardinals have not lost a game in which he’s started since August 24.

- Wandy Rodriguez was mentioned as a possible trading piece during the non-waiver deadline nearly two months ago, yet the 32-year-old is still with the Astros. He lost a tough decision last Wednesday when Bronson Arroyo of the Cincinnati Reds pitched a shutout, even though Rodriguez allowed just 2 earned runs on 4 hits, a home run, and 2 walks over 7.0 innings. At home, he is 4-4 with a 3.36 ERA over 12 starts.

Tuesday: RHP Jake Westbrook (12-9, 4.48) vs. RHP Henry Sosa (3-5, 4.68)

- Jake Westbrook is looking for his first victory since September 11 when he and the Cardinals beat the Braves, 6-3. Westbrook got the unlucky no decision last Thursday in the big loss to the Mets. In his last 2 starts over 9.1 innings, Westbrook has given up 9 walks, but has allowed only 3 runs (2 earned) and 8 hits. At Minute Maid Park this season in one start, he is 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA.

- Henry Sosa is competing for a starting rotation spot with the Astros in 2012. Sosa, 26, picked up his first win last Thursday for the first time since August 30. After giving up 4 earned runs in each of his first three career starts, Sosa has allowed that much only once in his last 6 starts. At Minute Maid Park in 4 starts, Sosa has a 2-1 record, 4.63 ERA, and .250 opponent batting average.

Wednesday: RHP Chris Carpenter (10-9, 3.59) vs. Brett Myers (7-13, 4.31)

UPI/Bill Greenblatt

- Chris Carpenter is coming off consecutive quality starts in which he’s allowed just one earned run over 15.0 innings pitched. Carpenter has not been as solid a pitcher on the road with a 6-6 record and 4.16 ERA, yet his last outing away from Busch Stadium was 8.0 inning shutout performance in Philadelphia. Against the Astros in one start at home, Carpenter gave up 2 earned runs on 8 hits in the 4-2 loss on July 27.

- Brett Myers has won four straight decisions after entering September with a 3-13 record. Myers has not allowed more than one earned run in a start since August 22. Over the 6 starts since then, Myers has a 4-0 record, 1.42 ERA, 31 strike outs, and 2 home runs allowed. Against the Cardinals in two outings this season, Myers is 0-2 with a 5.14 ERA and .309 opponent batting average.

Players to watch:

UPI/Bill Greenblatt

- Albert Pujols could be playing his final games with the St. Louis Cardinals. In almost 11 seasons, Pujols has amazed Cardinal Nation with a career .329 batting average, 445 home runs, 1,288 runs scored, and 1,328 RBI’s. Since 2001 when he was the NL Rookie of the Year, Pujols has been a 3-time NL MVP, 9-time All-Star, 6-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and two-time Gold Glove winner. During his era with the Redbirds, they have made 6 playoff appearances, won 5 NL Central Division Championships, 2 NL Championships, and a World Series Championship. Lately, Pujols has come on strong to help lead the charge for the playoffs. This month in 23 games, Pujols has a .358 average, 5 home runs, 15 runs scored, and 19 RBI’s. Against the Astros in 12 games, he’s been somewhat mediocre with a .261 average, 2 home runs, and 4 RBI’s.

- Carlos Lee has come on strong lately and usually hits the Cardinals well. Earlier this week, Lee had consecutive games with 4 RBI’s. This month, he has a .288 average, 5 home runs, and 19 RBI’s. Lee has not gone deep since September 16, but has the ability at any moment to put one in the Crawford Boxes, the left field bleachers 315 feet down the left field line. Against the Cardinals this season, Lee is hitting .295 with 3 homers and 13 RBI’s. Lee has gone a combine 4-7 with 2 home runs and 4 RBI’s against Garcia plus Westbrook, but is 0-3 with 2 strike outs versus Carpenter this season.

Recent history:

So far 8-4 against them this season this season, the Cardinals actually have a 2-game losing streak with the Astros. The last meeting, a 4-game series at Busch Stadium in late July, was a split. The Redbirds took the first two putting themselves at the top of the NL Central Division for the last time this season on July 25 & 26. Then, back-to-back defeats put the Cardinals behind the Milwaukee Brewers for good.

Broadcast times:

Tune into KMOX 1120 AM for the Charter Communications Pregame Show on Monday at 6:10pm. The broadcasts on Tuesday and Wednesday are also at 6:10pm.

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