MILWAUKEE -- Order was restored for the Cardinals on Wednesday night. Woody Williams took the mound and pitched well, and the Cardinals beat Ben Sheets and the Brewers, 3-2.
Playing without two Gold Glovers, St. Louis still didn't quite reach its usual high level of defense. The Cards have committed at least one error in four straight games. But aside from that, the Cardinals looked much like the team that buffaloed its way through the National League from late May through early September before hitting a recent funk.
The win was the 99th of the season for St. Louis, which can secure its first 100-win season since 1985 on Thursday afternoon. In addition, Atlanta lost to Cincinnati, ensuring the Cards home-field advantage through the first two rounds of the National League playoffs. The Braves can do no better than tie the Cards for the league's best record, and St. Louis' 4-2 advantage in head-to-head play gives it the tiebreaker.