St. Louis Cardinals: The most important week of the year

Everything the St. Louis Cardinals have gone through this season all comes down to one more week of baseball. Six games against the two best records in the National League to prove they belong in October.

Okay, I feel like we have been saying for the last two months that “this week is the biggest one of the season.” But this week actually is the biggest of the season.

The St. Louis Cardinals start Monday morning two games back of the Milwaukee Brewers for the first wildcard spot and a game and a half ahead of the Colorado Rockies for the second wild card spot.

The Redbirds have six games left – three against the Brewers and three against the Chicago Cubs. Anything could happen. If the Cardinals play well, they may end up with the first wild card spot. If they play poorly, they could miss the postseason all together.

Barring a complete six game breakdown of the Cubs – the division seems a little out of reach with a week to go.

The biggest red flag I can see in the schedule is that the Cardinals play their remaining games against the best the NL has to offer. The Rockies have seven games left against the Philadelphia Phillies (4) and the Washington Nationals (3). While both the Phils and Nats are competitive, they aren’t the Brewers and Cubs and don’t have much to play for like the Brewers and Cubs.

All things considered, this is what it’s all about.

Personally, I believe baseball handed the Cardinals a gift. Especially the fans. Going into the last week of the season, our best against their best. At the end of it, the Cards make it, they deserve to be there. If they don’t, okay they weren’t as good as the best in the league.

As it Stands

NL Wild Card Game:

• Cardinals at Brewers

NL Divison Series:

• Dodgers vs. Braves
• Wild card vs Cubs

Scenario to Keep In Mind

A four-team tie in the case that they all finish with the same record.

The Dodgers and Rockies could tie for the NL West title; causing a one game playoff to determine the winner.

The St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers could play a one game playoff to determine the first wild card spot.

The Dodgers vs Rockies loser would then match up against the Cardinals vs. Brewers loser to determine the second wild card spot.

Wow, I have a headache.

I have a feeling that it all will take care of itself as it almost always does and we can avoid this strange situation.

Regardless of your opinions of these teams and who you root for; whoever makes the postseason this year will have earned it. fighting down to the last day.

Here’s to baseball as it should be. Fun, exciting, and maddening.

For now, I hope to see you all next Tuesday for the NL Wild card game. Even better, I hope to see you in St. Louis for that game.

Go Cards!