A CUP of JOE in the SHOW Report #115...No Better Time than Now for the BUCCOS as they take the REDBIRDS on for a 3-Game Set in the 'BURGH for..."2012 NL WILD CARD Shotgun Seat"

Both the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates pretty much know that catching the NL Central leading Reds is out of the Question and its all about the Wild Card at this juncture in the game.

The Redbirds come into the 3-Game Set with the Buccos 6 games back for the Reds but 2 games up in the NL Wild Card and the #2 Seed in the NL Wild Card. The Buccos are 8 games out of 1st Place in the NL Central and 2 games behind the Redbirds in the NL Wild Card. The Only way to make up immediate ground is to in your Head to Head Battles and that's what's on Tap heading into the 3-Game Set in Pittsburgh starting Tonight.

The Redbirds Matt Holliday and the Buccos Andre McCutchen still have the Peepers set on the 2012 NL MVP as well as both will be Top 5 Vote Getters with McCutchen still most likely in the NL MVP Lead.

REDBIRDS @ BUCCOS

August 27, 2012
STL Lohse (13-2) vs PIT Burnett (15-4) 7:05PM ET

August 28, 2012
STL Westbrook (13-9) vs PIT McDonald (11-9) 7:05PM ET

August 29, 2012
STL Kelly (4-5) vs PIT Rodriguez (8-13) 7:05pM ET

The way it has played out the Buccos will take their Top 2 Guns to the Bump in Games 1 and 2 in Burnett and Big Mac PNC Park Edition. The Redbirds on the Other hand have Lohse going in Game 1 and Westbrook in Game 2 as they have 2 of their 3 Big Guns from the Bump going.

Both Teams know what's on the Line and the 1st game of the Series will set the Tempo for the other 2 Games as the Buccos can ill afford to fall anymore than 3 games back and would prefer a Sweep. The Redbirds on the other hand is looking for a little breathing room in the NL Wild Card Race.Its really crucial for the Redbirds because after they leave the 'Burgh they have 4 at the NL East Leading Nationals of Nationals Park on the Potomac River. The Buccos will visit Beer Town USA..and the Milwaukee Brewers.

Note: Numbers and Schedule from MLB.com