Astros - Braves Playoff Series Wrap

I was expecting to write a wrap-up today, I just figured there would still be some daylight! After nearly six hours and eighteen full innings, though, the weekend has virtually disappeared, as has the National League Division Series.

The scrappy Houston Astros, who had a horrendous first quarter of the regular season and still bounced back to make it to the post-season, spotted Atlanta a five-run lead in Game Four and, with only six outs left in their holster, came back to tie the game. Then it was two weary boxers bobbing and weaving and feinting, looking for that one big opening, and Chris Burke, a reserve infielder-outfielder in his first full major league season, delivered, entering baseball lore with an 18th inning home run. And just like last year, Houston advances to the best-of-seven Championship Series against the Cardinals.

Most observers, including this one, expected this series to feature great pitching and not-so-much hitting. We were sure wrong about that last part - the two teams combined for 46 runs and 82 hits in the four games. But we did see some excellent pitching, from starters Andy Pettitte and Roy Oswalt and John Smoltz, and most especially from the Astros' bullpen. Just as they did last fall, Houston will give St. Louis all they can handle, and perhaps this year they have enough of everything - especially heart! - to move on to their first World Series ever.

Atlanta lost this series because two of their season-long problems continued to plague them against the Astros. With men on base the Braves were terrible; in the 18-inning marathon alone they stranded more than a dozen runners in scoring position! Even so, this series could have been heading back to Georgia if not for the bullpen. No, I am not about to blame poor Joey Devine for giving up Burke's walk-off blast. Do you realize that just five months ago Devine was pitching for North Carolina State University? (There's a huge difference between the majors and the ACC, don't you think?) No, with that five-run lead, erstwhile closer Kyle Farnsworth, a veteran, gave up a grand-slam home run to Lance Berkman to give the Astros new life, then with two out in the bottom of the ninth he gave up a game-tying homer to Brad Ausmus.

Think about that one for a moment. Berkman you can explain away, this guy is a legitimate power hitter. Ausmus, on the other hand, hit just three four-baggers this season, and has a career total of 71 home runs in 13 major league seasons. And there were two out in the ninth.

The bullpen lost this series for the Braves, and it is something they must address in the off-season, which begins today. However, Bobby Cox and his young club has much to be proud of and much to look forward to in the future. Meanwhile, congratulations to the Astros, who move on after their well-deserved victory. Tony LaRussa's Cardinals need to remember that, against this Houston ballclub, the game is truly never over until the last man is out.