:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60512009/20120507_ajw_sh5_171.0.0.jpg)
The Wild Card was pretty wild for a minute there, but then it stopped. The Braves clinched the first Wild Card spot last night, and the Cardinals now hold an enormous 4½ game lead over the Brewers and the Dodgers for the second one. We have a full week of baseball left in the National League, and this puppy is all-but put to bed. It's not mathematically put to bed yet, but I'm struggling now to finish off this sentence while maintaining metaphorical continuity.
Last night's game was a back-breaker for Milwaukee. Going in, they were only 3½ back of the Cardinals, and there was a glimmer of hope that, with a heap of luck, they could close the gap. They have played out of their minds since the beginning of August, but just good enough to make it interesting. Better luck next year, Beer Brothers.
But that's enough eulogizing our least-hated division rivals. Bronson Arroyo is lined up to be your #2 starter when the playoffs roll around. I would fuss and whine about how Mat Latos totally deserves it more, but it would be a bit disingenuous. Arroyo has been rock-star solid this season, and his wily veteranness provides just enough of a platitudinal advantage over Latos to make this whole thing moot. It's gonna be the playoffs and it's gonna be great.
Ryan Hanigan is back in the lineup today. That's good to see.