Braves situation

The Braves have eliminated the Cubs, beating them 5-4 yesterday and 8-6 today. Chipper Jones and John Thomson both had to leave the game early today. Chipper was hit on the hand with a pitch and suffered a contusion, and Thomson left with a stiff back. Both are day-today. Either Paul Byrd or Jose Capellan will start tomorrow against the Cubs in the regular season finale. I suspect nearly all the regulars will be sitting on the bench tomorrow to get some rest before the NLDS.

The Dodgers had a big 9th inning rally to defeat the Giants today to clinch the division on the next to last day. The Astros are winning big right now, so it looks like they'll take a 1 game lead with 1 game to play. In order for the Giants to stay alive, they'll have to win tomorrow and hope for an Astros loss. Then, there would be a one game playoff to see who will advance to the NLDS and go to Atlanta. In order for the Giants to make the playoffs, they'll have to win 2 games in a row and the Astros will have to lose 2 games in a row...but I've seen much stranger things happen.

It looks increasingly likely that the Astros will be playing the Braves on Tuesday. Assuming that Roger Clemens pitches tomorrow, neither he nor Roy Oswalt will be available for Game 1, and Oswalt would probably start Game 2/Wednesday on only 3 days rest. If San Fran can pull off a semi-miracle and make the playoffs, neither Jason Schmidt or Brett Tomko will be available for Game 1, either. Not to mention that if there's a one game playoff, none of the top 3 starters for either team would be available for Game 1. Good news for the Braves.

Jaret Wright is scheduled to start Game 1 for the Braves, but with the mild injury to Thomson and Bobby's reconsidering of the 4 man rotation, there's no certainty beyond that. Heck, there's not even a certainty about Wright starting Game 1 for that matter with his bruised ankle, although he's healing fast and will probably be ready.