...will set up the second half in a BIG way.

The Buccos go to Washington and play the Cubbies and Astros at home.  The Bucs are a combined 11-5 against those three teams.  They play 10 games in those three series.  If they can go 6-4, or gulp 7-3, they could be 4 or 5 games over .500.

To add to that the Brewers play @ Minnesota and have the Reds and the Dbacks at home.  They are 2-7 against the Reds, 3-0 against the Twins and haven't played the Dbacks.

St. Louis plays @ Tampa and home against Reds and Dbacks.  They are 2-1 against the Dbacks and 2-4 against the Reds.  They are 6-5 against the AL.

The Reds play @ the Brewers, @ the Reds and Cleveland at home.  They swept Cleveland earlier and are 7-2 against the Brewers and are 4-2 against the Cards.

The Buccos have the easiest schedule.  The Buccos and Reds could really make up some ground here.