Remaining Games among NL Central Contenders

[LeDoux]

The three others contending teams play each other many more times over the remainder of the season:

Pirates and Cards = 13 games
Cards and Brewers = 12 games
Brewers and Pirates = 10 games

This means 35 games of automatic .500 ball averaged among all the current contenders. Best case scenario these teams split the various series and the Reds slowly catch up on the entire pack by playing anything over .500 ball. Worst case scenario is that one team takes the majority of the games and becomes the clear leader. But in that event, at least the Reds will only have one team to catch.

Other notes:

The Reds play each of these teams 3 more times.

Each team (Reds included) have 3 more games with the Phillies.

The bulk of the Reds games in Aug and Sept are against losing ballclubs.

[texasdave]

Taniwha is waiting for me just below the surface so bright.
Even as we speak the Dirty Creature springs a nasty surprise.

Remaining schedule:

TEAM	HOME	AWAY	.500+ 	PCT
MIL	34	28	32	0.475
CIN	34	30	29	0.482
STL 	35	29	35	0.485
PIT	33	33	36	0.489

[LeDoux]

Taniwha is waiting for me just below the surface so bright.
Even as we speak the Dirty Creature springs a nasty surprise.

Remaining schedule:

TEAM	HOME	AWAY	.500+ 	PCT
MIL	34	28	32	0.475
CIN	34	30	29	0.482
STL 	35	29	35	0.485
PIT	33	33	36	0.489

Don't anger the Taniwha.

[Old NDN]

If the Brewers and/or Cards don't pull away this upcoming week, the Reds have a chance. They both take turns with the Cubs and Astros, while the Pirates have the Braves and Phils. We (Reds) need a hot week, or we can forget about any trade deadline help.

[LeDoux]

If the Brewers and/or Cards don't pull away this upcoming week.

Yeah, I think that's the key. If the Reds can maintain .500 ball for this homestand and pick up or promote some help by the deadline - I like their chances. They will have 18 games remaining with winning teams. Nine of those are with the Pirates (6) and Mets (3) who may be under .500 by that time. Six are with the Cards (3) and Brewers (3). The Reds have winning records against both ballclubs. The remaining 3 games are versus the Phillies. Those three will be tough. The rest of the schedule (30) is versus losing ballclubs.

So if the Reds can make it to August, they pick up a significant tailwind at the same time the Brewers and Cards start beating up on each other. Until then it will be a game by game slog to keep in contention.

[nux fan]

wow the cardinals have three runs off cy young charlie morton, something the reds have not done in three games