Winning is SO Much Fun

The game meant little or nothing to the Houston Astros franchise as a whole. The club will no win a pennant or wild card. It won't even finish .500 and may wind up fifth in the six team National League Central Division.

Still, you can't beat playing well and winning. Its just so much fun. And its even more fun when you are able to postpone the clinching of a pennant by your opponent by beating them.

The Astros did that last week when the Cardinals couldn't clinch the NL Central in Houston. Now they are postponing the Phillies fun.

By winning 8-2 on Monday while the Atlanta Braves were also winning the magic number for the defending World Champion Phillies to clinch the NL Eastern title remained stuck on three. They still could win the pennant during the Astros watch since this series has three games to play. But in Phillie some fans are getting nervous. There is talk of 1964. There was nothing worse in Philadelphia baseball history than 1964. That was when the Phils blew a six and a half game lead with only ten to play. Their situation now is statistically more dire. Their lead has shrunk to four with six to play. Furthermore the Braves have a very weak finishing schedule and are playing well. The Phillies have three more with a team they can't beat-- the Houston Astros--then have to meet the Florida Marlins. All their games are at home so there is no reason the Phillies won't clinch soon. But until they do the memories of '64 won't be forgotten.

Getting back to the Astros win on Monday... Miguel Tejada did it again. He was four for five climbing closer and closer to 200 hits and pushing his batting average back to about .310. Miggy loves to play this game. In a perfect world for the Astros maybe he WOULD be next year's third baseman. He is hitting so well and not wearing down that his price may be too steep because their most likely will be other clubs who would like to have a guy like Miggy.

He certainly isn't perfect. His lack of range at shortstop has hurt at times. His penchant for hitting into double plays has also been a problem. The positives, however, have out weighed the negative. Losing his bat will be felt heavily in 2010 if he is elsewhere.

All of the "next year" talk is for others to worry about and fans to speculate about. The present still exists for six more games. There is excitement in Philadelphia. They will be going to baseball's version of the big dance again. Houston won't. Yet, the Astros know how to beat the defending World Champs. That's got to count for something.

FS HOUSTON POLLS
Every game for the rest of the season we are asking fans to vote on Facebook.com/FOXSportsHouston on the best Astros at various positions. So far, Nolan Ryan has received the starting pitching nod, BillyWagner has been dubbed the best closer and Adam Everett the top shortstop. Be sure to add your vote to the totals when we move around the infield, outfield and manager. All coming up in the next few days during our telecasts.