1. Reds have three off days left, all on Thursdays. Cards with two off days, including tomorrow 9/9. Pirates only one off day remaining.
2. Pirates next play Texas in Texas. Facing three tough pitchers, Darvish scheduled for tomorrow. Reds play home with Cubs starting tomorrow, Cards host Milwaukee beginning Tuesday.
3. Cards clearly have the easiest schedule left. Play only two road series. Reds and Bucs play three road series each and play each other home and home. Cards don't play any more playoff teams.
4. However, Cards do play four in Colorado which is ten games over .500 at home. Cards also have a home series against the Nats, a near .500 team.
5. Cubs play all three contenders, including seven with the Pirates. Cubs have traded away many of their veteran players. All three contenders have won most of their Cubs games, but Reds have best record against Cubs so far this season.