Don't obsess with St. Louis yet.

        Though Wednesday was the first day since July 6 that the Reds gained ground in the National League Central, fans focusing on Cardinals scores also should take note of the wild-card race. Series such as Cincinnati's next two — a trip today to New York and a visit next week from Los Angeles — hold more meaning than just the Reds' divisional hopes.

        With San Francisco's loss Thursday to St. Louis, the Reds are now closer in the wild-card standings, 3 1/2 games behind the Giants and Dodgers, than they are in the division race, in which they're four back of the Cardinals.

        New York is one game behind Cincinnati in the wild-card race.

        Speaking of the Mets: Remember 1999? The Reds seemed locked in a death-match struggle with Houston all season, but it was New York that ultimately kept Cincinnati out of the playoffs. The Mets won a one-game playoff for the wild card, 5-0 over the Reds at Cinergy Field.

Pete AND a bobblehead? Watta deal Round and round rotation goes Reds fret over 'cards' of two kinds Reds-Mets series preview Creek happy to go from worst to first NL roundup AL roundup Notes from Thursday's games

Bengals, top two draftees smiling
QB Smith assumes low-profile role
Kids selling drinks and cookies booted out of Redskins camp
Strahan not worried about contract dealings
Arena football gives Cincinnati another chance
Inspiration powers Killer Bees
OU's Hunter shows off flashy all-around game
Austin may need fresh competition
Larry Holmes fights because he can
Tennis crown elusive
Agassi, Gambill, Kuerten reach Mercedes-Benz Cup quarterfinals
GMAC Bowl signs sponsor through 2005
Heinen on fire at John Deere Classic
Out of mountains, Armstrong almost certain to win Tour
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