A CUP of JOE in the SHOW Report #109....NL Important Weekend Sets...REDBIRDS travel to NL Central leading REDS...BRAVES park at McCOVEY COVE for 4 vs GIGANTES...NL Division and WIld Card Implications

The St. Louis Cardinals are a Full Week back of the NL Central leading Reds but they still have work to do in the Wild Card. The Redbirds lead the NL Wild Card as the #2 Team by 1 Game over the Buccos. This is an important Series for Both as the Reds need to keep Distance and the Cards need to stay away from those in the NL Wild Card that need to get to #2.

The Braves have a 4-Game Set at McCovey Cove that started last night as the Gigantes win 5-2 behind LHP Barry Zito and the Braves RHP Hanson takes the L. The Braves are 2 1/1 up on the #2 Seed Redbirds in the NL Wild Card and the Braves will not catch the NL East leading Nats.

It has been an eventful Week for the Gigantes as they lose their NL MVP Hopeful to an Suspension and they answered the Bell. They sweep then NL West Leading Dodgers at Chavez Ravine to come in 1/2 back of the Boys in Blue and leave LA leading by 2 1/2. With the Win last night they move to 3 Full Games over the Dodgers in the NL West. The Gigantes are still not o Solid Ground in the NL West though.

Series Preview
REDBIRDS @ REDS

August 24, 2012
STL Lynn (13-5) vs CIN Latos (10-3) 7:10PM ET

August 25, 2012
STL Garcia (3-4) vs CIN Leake (5-8) 4:05PM ET

August 28, 2012
STL Wainwright (12-10) vs CIN Bailey (10-8) 1:10PM ET

The Redbirds are trying to stay in that #2 Spot in the NL Wild Card or trying to Sweep the Reds to move 4 games out in the NL Central. Reds trying to play good Baseball as they near the NL Central Title and the 2012 Fall Classic Tourney.

Series Preview
August 23, 2012
Braves Hanson (L) 2 vs Giants Zito (W) 5

August 24, 2012
ATL Sheets (4-3) vs SF Vogelsong (10-7) 10:15PM ET

August 25, 2012
ATL Minor (6-10) vs SF Bumgarner (14-7) 4:05 PM ET

August 26, 2012
ATL Hudson (12-4) vs SF Lincecum (7-13) 8PM ET ESPN Sunday Night Baseball

The Braves are in the Drivers Seat for the NL Wild Card but this Series may be a Preview of what the Braves will face getting by in the One Playoff Game Scenario. The back End of the Series the Gigantes start throwing those Grade A Arms in Bumgarner and Lincecum with the Braves throwing their Ace RHP "Huddy" Tim Hudson on Sunday. The Gigantes won Game 1 last night 5-2 in the 4-Game Set.

Note : Schedule/Numbers from MLB.com