Starting Five is our wrapup of the previous day's baseball action with a quick nod to what is ahead.You Oughta Know ...
That when we told you a few weeks ago that the Braves were just about dead, we might have been a bit premature. Led by Javier Vazquez's third complete game of the season, the Braves beat the Nationals, 4-1, winning their fourth game in a row and 12th out of the past 14.
The Braves are still 3 1/2 behind the Rockies in the wild-card race (and mathematically alive in the NL East, believe it or not), but they do have at least one thing in their favor. They play the Nationals six more times in their final nine games, with the other three against Florida.
In Friday's game, Vazquez added another line to his under-appreciated resume. He is 10-2 since July 7. He has 15 victories this season. The only pitcher to win at least 10 games every year since 2000, Vazquez is second only to Randy Johnson in strikeouts in the decade.
From The Trainer's Room ...
Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee couldn't play on Friday night because of a neck spasms. The injury was aggravated by teammates whacking him too hard on the head after he scored ahead of Jeff Baker's ninth-inning two-run homer on Thursday night. Pitcher Angel Guzman was identified as the player who hit Lee. Manager Lou Piniella didn't blame Guzman, though.
"All Guzman was trying to do was congratulate him for the stolen base and getting on base and scoring a run. It's something that just happened. I'm not faulting anybody."Numbers Game ...
The Reds pounded out a 10-1 victory over the Astros, the 22nd win in their past 32 games. They have the best record in the majors since Aug. 22.
In Their Own Words ...
"Regardless of what happens this winter, it means a lot to me." -- Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay, who was greeted by fans chanting "Thank You Roy" after his final home game of the season. Halladay is signed through next year, but the Blue Jays may opt to trade him over the winter, considering they shopped him at the trading deadline.
Advance Scouting ...
The Dodgers and Cardinals will both try again to lock up playoff spots. Each failed on Friday. The Dodgers, who play the Pirates (7:05 PM ET) need a win or a Braves loss to clinch a playoff spot. The Cardinals, who play the Rockies (8:10 PM ET), need a win or a Cubs loss to clinch the NL Central.
