Come to Think of it...Astros Go For Broke While Cubs & Brewers Choke

Maybe Major League Baseball ought to just hand the NL Central over to the Houston Astros. They're the only team playing like it matters, anyway. It's as if they're saying, "Look, if you guys in Chicago and Milwaukee don't want it, we'll take it."

Winners of 12 of their last 13 games, the Astros are putting together a run almost worthy of what the Rockies did in 2007. While it may be a case of "too little, too late," it serves in stark contrast to the miserable and disinterested baseball being played by the division leaders. Houston's 34-16 record is the best in the majors since the All-Star break.

Hell, though it pains me to say it, the Cardinals might be a better choice for the division title than the Cubs or Brewers right now. At least they show some signs of life and a will to win. The Cubs and Brewers continue to show signs of a tight collar and a willingness to accept losing too kindly.

Tribune writer Phil Rogers says that there is a clear lack or urgency in that clubhouse, which should concern anyone making October plans for this supposed team of destiny.

Hey, maybe they'll slip into the playoffs and suddenly turn it on like the White Sox did in 2005 after almost blowing it to the Indians down the stretch. Then all of this will be easily forgotten, apart from the cases of Rolaids I've been stockpiling.

But what if this is a harbinger of bad October baseball to come? It's fairly certain that the Cubs probably will make the playoffs, no matter how badly they keep playing. But another performance like last year just won't cut it for the faithful fans who truly believe this is the year. I can hear Ron Santo screaming it now.

Yes, the Cubs continued their slide into the abyss on Tuesday, losing to the Cardinals, 4-3. Predictably, the big blast came off the bat of Albert Pujols, whose soon-to-be-repaired left elbow looked quite fine to me, thank you very much. His homer in the sixth tied the game at three apiece. The Cubs ended up losing the game in the bottom of the ninth, with Carlos Marmol taking the loss.

That left the Brewers with another golden opportunity to gain ground on the downtrodden Cubbies. But they lost again to the Reds, this time in extra innings. As bad as the Cubs are playing, it seems the Brewers need the Heimlick maneuver even more.

Meanwhile, the Astros keep plugging along, clobbering Pittsburgh 9-3.

Regardless of whether or not the Astros can continue their amazing streak long enough to steal the wild card, you have to agree that their run has been impressive. And if the  improbable happens, expect to hear Lance Berkman's name to slip back into the MVP conversation.

After the Cubs game, Lou Piniella said he is getting tired of watching his team lose. Well, you're the manager—do something about it. Play a game with all subs. Send a message to a superstar like Lee or Soriano by pinch-hitting for them with men on base. Kick some dirt, throw a tantrum. Execute a squeeze play once in awhile. Put Zambrano in the cleanup spot. You know, whatever it takes.

Because us Cubs fans are getting tired of watching this, too. Come to think of it, the division is there for the taking, so go take it already. Because if you don't want it, I know a couple of teams that would love to take it from you...