Yesterday I looked the schedule for the three central still fighting for 3 spots.
Last night the major result was the Cards beating the Nats. That gives the Cards a 2 game lead on the Pirates and 3 game lead on the Reds with only 4 games left. For the Reds to win the title the Cards would have to go 1-3 or 0-4, neither likely. Cards would also have to go 1-3 for the Pirates to win the title outright. If Cards go 2-2 Pirates could tie by winning their last 4. The Reds and Pirates have little margin for error.
Last night did little to clear up the wild card spots. Because Pirates play last 3 against the Reds and the season series is tied, Pirates could enter the series 1 game up, tied with Reds, or 1 game down and still have to win 2 of 3 to win the first WC spot. If Pirates win today and Reds lose then Pirates would only have to win 1 of the last 3 to claim the 1st WC spot. In other words, if the Reds win today the result of the Pirates game will have no impact on what they have to do in the last three.
The Reds play at 12:35 and the Cards at 1:45 so Pirates, who play at 2:20, will have some clues about what is happening before they take the field. No one can clinch anything today but if Cards win and Reds lose the Reds will eliminated from winning the Central title.
Settle back and enjoy the games. Only 4 games left in the season and the Pirates games still have meaning.