Cards Still Alive, Barely

It’s a long shot, but the Cardinals are still alive in the postseason hunt. St. Louis is still in the race thanks to Cincinnati’s 9-7 win over the Cubs on Thursday. Houston beat Milwaukee 6-1, so the Astros and Cubs are tied for the N.L. Central lead, with the Cardinals three games back. To make the playoffs, the Cards must win their final three games, and the Cubs and Astros must each lose their final three games. The Cardinals play the Diamondbacks tonight. Barring successful appeals, Mike Matheny and Tony LaRussa will both begin serving suspensions tonight. If their appeals are denied, Matheny’s season would be over. LaRussa would return for Sunday’s game.