Mets: Only You Can Save Us, Angel Guzman

CSTB points out Cubs manager Lou Piniella has back-tracked on his stated intention of starting Carlos Zambrano in Chicago's meaningless (for Chicago) closer against Milwaukee. Instead of able Z, the Cubs will get behind ... Angel Guzman, a 20-year-old with a career 0-7 record and a 6.13 ERA.

If Milwaukee wins, the Mets must beat the Marlins to force a wild-card tiebreaker on Monday. The Crew has C.C. Sabathia (10-2, 1.78 ERA in MIL) on the mound. Chicago has some say in who it'd face in the NLDS: if Milwaukee loses and the Mets win, the Cubs get New York. If Milwaukee wins the spot, the Dodgers will visit Wrigley.

Meanwhile, the Phillies closed out the NL East with a brilliantly turned double-play instigated by Jimmy Rollins. The Mets will depend on Ollie Perez (and the bullpen, which didn't get any Saturday work thanks to t he brilliance of Johan Santana). If NY loses and the Crew pulls it out over Guzman, Shea Stadium is done. A win over the Marlins ensures at least one more opening pitch in the Flushing ballpark. Mets-Marlins begins at 1PM EST, while the Brewers-Cubs hit the field at 2PM EST.

This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.