Brews cruise to sweep...but gain no ground

Sunday's 7-4 win to sweep the 3-game series over the Pirates to up their record 69-67 did nothing to help the Brewers improve their playoff hopes, as both the Cubs and Cards won, too. But, not only did the Crew not lose any ground, it also has to help with some self-confidence...at least with winning at home. Jeff Suppan got the win, to up his record to 9-11, 4.75, his first win in over a month. Three relievers earned holds (Shouse, Linebrink, and Turnbow), while Coco got his 39th save on the year. Prince Fielder hit his 40th home run of the season, to add to his NL best mark. The Crew gets Roy Oswalt (14-6, 3.21) and the Astros on Monday afternoon...and counter with Ben Sheets (11-4, 3.30) in his 2nd start after coming off the DL. The Cardinals host the Pirates, while the Cubs host the Dodgers. The three front-runners have remaining:

• Cubs: 11 home games and 16 road games
• Brewers: 13 home games and 13 road games
• Cardinals: 15 home games and 14 road games

With the Cardinals (67-66) being only one game back in the loss column to the Cubs (70-65) and having two more games to play than the Cubs--plus getting the lowly Pirates for four at home next and 5 more against the Cubs, plus ending the season with three more against the Pirates--and getting Mark Mulder back--the Cardinals now appear to be the team to watch.  Thankfully, the Cardinals don't get any days off in September, thanks to a couple of rainout make-ups against the Cubs (one which includes a day-night doubleheader on 9/15) and another at Shea the last week of the season.  The Cards also have series against playoff contending Arizona and Philadelphia in there, while the Cubs only playoff bound foes consist of four against the Dodgers this week, and the Cardinals later on in the month.