Tim Hudson has the opportunity to present in a game so important.
His team would have preferred not to reduce it.
Atlanta Braves, one of the advantages of a once-in-command in the National League wild card is wasted. Are on the verge of a historic collapse in September, to the last day of the regular season tied the Cardinals the final playoff position.
"It 's like living a nightmare," said Braves third baseman Chipper Jones.
Atlanta took exclusive possession of the National League wild-card lead over June 20, according to STATS LLC, and held until Tuesday 7-1 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. Just three weeks ago, the margin was 8 1 / 2 games comfortable.
Although the Braves fell, San Luis is hot and has won 21 29, the last victory at Houston Astros 13-6 after seeing the last place at the beginning of a race to five lead.
Now the Cardinals are trying to become the first team to finish with a lead of at least eight games in September, although they have some competition. Boston Red Sox have collapsed as the Braves, allowing Tampa Bay to tie the card to play football AL 162nd.
"It's kind of our food here in recent days, 120 years of baseball and is one of those tracks to link the story," said St. Louis manager Tony La Russa. "But there is another story from the link and finish it."
At least the Braves still had his ace in reserve. Hudson (16-10) was set to face Joe Blanton in Philadelphia (1-2) with a station on the line.
"There's no place I would have preferred a mound when the game means something," says Hudson.
Atlanta has lost four in a row - scoring just four points in that period - and eight of 11 to be in this situation.
Hudson tried to be optimistic.
"It's no secret what's going on," he said. "We had some tough matches. But when it's over, and we hope to win and advance to the next level, I think there will be a lot of weight from our shoulders. I hope we can get there and a different tone playoffs to come. "
If the teams remain tied after Sunday, there will be a playoff game the next day at San Luis. The Cardinals won the hut with a 5-1 lead against the Braves in the series of the season.
In Houston, Chris Carpenter (10-9) will start in St. Louis in the last episode of the season. A loss of 105 Astros meet with Brett Myers (7-13), which has a series of four wins and an ERA of 1.24 in his last five starts.
"We feel very good about it," St. Louis Star Lance Berkman. "We played well."
The Cardinals appeared in big trouble when Houston took a 5-0 lead in the third inning. SANLUIS but tied with the fourth of five points, and pinch-hitter Ryan Theriot is a three-way tie with two runs in the seventh inning.
"It was unbelievable," said Craig Allen, who came with two hits after replacing Matt Holliday. "I do not know if it's supposed to be or not. All I know is that we have an incredible race and have a game left and we will give our best effort. If this happens, it should be. "
Derek Lowe (9-17) has another doom the Braves, giving five runs in four innings. Who lost his five starts in September.
Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and Hunter Pence homered to back a strong presence of Roy Oswalt, who listens to the playoffs with a three-hit ball over six innings without scoring a goal.
"I'm man enough to say that I had a terrible year," said Lowe, whose ERA rose to 5.05. "But we still have a chance. Our best pitcher is going on."
The Braves have gotten to the end of the season by injuries to two of their best tickets (All-Star Jair Jurrjens and Tommy Hanson) and has been hampered all year by an illegal offense.
The problems keep piling up. Jones was slowed by the crisis in his right knee, and shortstop Alex Gonzalez left the game Tuesday after aggravating his right calf. It is not expected to play in the final.
"We played 161 games and it comes down to one," the first year, said manager Fredi Gonzalez. "We did it ourselves. No excuses there. We need to get it. "
In his last loss, the Braves were behind the game court sessions, Utley led the center-field bleachers.
A feeling of uneasiness came to Turner Field. Only worse. Braves fans boos stopped only long enough to help the Astros last place so far, breaking into songs of the message: "Come to Houston!"
Initially thought the Cardinals on their way to a second consecutive defeat, but went ahead for good with four runs seventh.
Berkman to collect two outs and scored on a double block of Craig, who took the time Holliday had a sore right hand. Yadier Molina walked before Therion Triple switch was 8-6.
Nick Punto doubled in Theriot, Craig padded the lead with a three-run homer in the eighth inning and added a single point shot in the ninth.
Eduardo Sanchez (3-1) scored two in January-March 1st innings to win for the night, when the Cardinals used seven relievers a jump start, Jake Westbrook, who allowed seven hits and five in two innings is a -3. It 'was Sanchez's first appearance since June 12 due to a shoulder injury.
The audience booed loudly when Houston Berkman, the Astros star long, scored in the seventh.
Turner Field fans were also crankier.
No one could expect a dramatic conclusion a few weeks ago.
"Not a single person in this locker room would not be in my team to play this game," said Fredi Gonzalez.
"I hope so," Jones said, trying to alleviate the tragic situation. "We are more or less everything you need in any case."