Around the Wild Card Race: September 23 Edition

News and notes from around the Wild Card race:

• Atlanta is beginning their preparations for the one-game playoff. They have altered their rotation so Kris Medlen will be lined up to start in the Wild Card game if they get there. With their lead, they could clinch a spot as early as tomorrow.
• Yadier Molina of St. Louis had to leave yesterday's game with back spasms. They don't expect him to miss much time, and he's day-to-day for now. Meanwhile, Jake Westbrook threw another bullpen session but ended it early when his right oblique started bothering him again.

Looking at yesterday's results:

• It was just one of those days for Milwaukee. Washington scored nine runs total in the third and fourth innings to build up a huge lead, and that's all they would need. Milwaukee would tack on a few runs late, but the gap was too wide as Washington won 10-4. NPetrashek has the recap if you missed it. (Box Score)
• St. Louis reversed their fortune completely from yesterday. Adam Wainwright had a tough game, allowing four runs in seven innings. Chicago took a 4-3 lead into the ninth, but Carlos Beltran hit a solo home run in the 9th to tie the game at 4. In the 10th, Jon Jay hit an RBI double to give the Cardinals a 5-4 lead, and that held up to give them the win. (Box Score)
• Atlanta had their way with Roy Halladay. They got seven runs off of him, three in the first and four in the second. That was more than enough for Atlanta, who cruised to a 8-2 win. (Box Score)
• Cincinnati would not be denied their title, as they dominated from start to finish in a 6-0 win against Los Angeles. Mat Latos pitched eight shutout innings to help them get the win. (Box Score)
• Pittsburgh's collapse continued on Saturday. They battled at a 1-1 tie through the first six innings, but a Jason Castro home run gave the Astros a 4-1 win that they would not give up. (Box Score)
• Hits were raining in Colorado as they combined with Arizona for twenty-seven hits, which turned into fifteen runs. In the end, it was Arizona who had the last laugh as they held on for an 8-7 win. (Box Score)
• San Francisco also wrapped up a division title, scoring early and often as they dominated San Diego for a 8-4 win. Marco Scutaro provided the bulk of the offense as he went 3-5 with 3 RBI. (Box Score)

Here are the updated Wild Card standings:

What progress was done from yesterday's loss by St. Louis was erased. They reestablished their lead from Friday by winning while Milwaukee, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia all lost. Arizona managed to hold ground, but Pittsburgh and San Diego lost again, and their chances are nearly done.

Looking at Milwaukee's playoff chances, what progress they made by winning Friday was undone with the loss Saturday. Here are the new odds:

The games get more intense as each day passes. Here's today's slate of action:

Atlanta vs. Philadelphia - 12:35 PM CDT
Tim Hudson (15-6, 3.77 ERA) vs. Cliff Lee (6-7, 3.27 ERA)

Milwaukee vs. Washington - 12:35 PM CDT
Yovani Gallardo (16-8, 3.59 ERA) vs. Chien-Ming Wang (2-3, 6.92 ERA)

Pittsburgh vs. Houston - 1:05 PM CDT
A.J. Burnett (15-8, 3.64 ERA) vs. Jordan Lyles (4-11, 5.40 ERA)

St. Louis vs. Chi. Cubs - 1:20 PM CDT
Kyle Lohse (15-3, 2.71 ERA) vs. Justin Germano (2-8, 5.58 ERA)

Arizona vs. Colorado - 2:10 PM CDT
Ian Kennedy (14-11, 4.08 ERA) vs. Jeff Francis (5-6, 5.58 ERA)

San Diego vs. San Francisco - 3:05 PM CDT
Eric Stults (6-3, 2.69 ERA) vs. Yusmeiro Petit (0-0, N/A ERA)

LA Dodgers vs. Cincinnati - 7:05 PM CDT
Aaron Harang (9-10, 3.80 ERA) vs. Homer Bailey (12-9, 3.82 ERA)