Winning five of their last six and taking three of four from the first place Brewers, the beleaguered Cardinals have shown signs of life recently. Losing their series with Milwaukee this past weekend would have quashed any realistic hope for another Division Championship. But as it stands, the Cardinals find themselves only six games out of first. With the Brewers bumbling and over sixty games remaining, the once-decided NL Central is suddenly up for grabs—and it’s Cardinals’—or the Cubs’—for the taking.
If the World Series Champs hope to win their division, a few things have to change. Since we still have two months of regular-season baseball and they only sit six back, the Cardinals still have some room for error. The following, however, must happen if the birds hope to salvage their season.
1) They must solidify their starting rotation.
The biggest factor in the Cardinals’ first-half fizzle was the poor performance of the starting rotation. Anthony Reyes started out 0-10, with Kip Wells going 3-13. Braden Looper was one of their better starters, but not especially impressive otherwise. Adam Wainwright was competitive, but has showed only glimpses of his 2006 greatness. GM Walt Jockety has made modest maneuvers to remedy the rotation, acquiring Mike Maroth from Detroit and recently Joel Pineiro from Boston. Reyes and Wells posted wins in their most recent starts, which gives fans some encouragement. But a sub-five-hundred second half from either could spell disaster for the club. With staff ace Chris Carpenter sidelined for the year due to elbow surgery, Adam Wainwright will have to pitch like a number one starter.
2) Jim Edmonds and Scott Rolen must come alive offensively.
Albert Pujols has broad shoulders, but they’re not strong enough to carry the team’s entire offensive load. Chris Duncan has given him some protection, but the Cardinals must have more punch in the middle of their lineup. Rolen’s only batting .272, and Jim Edmonds’ average has plummeted to .226. Worse yet, the two combine for only 72 RBIs. If this team expects to go anywhere this year, both will have to produce.
3) They have to put together a few winning streaks.
Last night against Pittsburg, the Cardinals tied their longest winning streak of the year. Unfortunately, it was only their forth consecutive victory, and we’re nearly a hundred games into the season. The reality is that this team is going to have to better both Cubs and the Brewers from here forward, both of those teams are probably going to play above-.500 ball here on out. The Cardinals willl probably need close to ninety wins to take the division
If the World Series Champs hope to win their division, a few things have to change. Since we still have two months of regular-season baseball and they only sit six back, the Cardinals still have some room for error. The following, however, must happen if the birds hope to salvage their season.
1) They must solidify their starting rotation.
The biggest factor in the Cardinals’ first-half fizzle was the poor performance of the starting rotation. Anthony Reyes started out 0-10, with Kip Wells going 3-13. Braden Looper was one of their better starters, but not especially impressive otherwise. Adam Wainwright was competitive, but has showed only glimpses of his 2006 greatness. GM Walt Jockety has made modest maneuvers to remedy the rotation, acquiring Mike Maroth from Detroit and recently Joel Pineiro from Boston. Reyes and Wells posted wins in their most recent starts, which gives fans some encouragement. But a sub-five-hundred second half from either could spell disaster for the club. With staff ace Chris Carpenter sidelined for the year due to elbow surgery, Adam Wainwright will have to pitch like a number one starter.
2) Jim Edmonds and Scott Rolen must come alive offensively.
Albert Pujols has broad shoulders, but they’re not strong enough to carry the team’s entire offensive load. Chris Duncan has given him some protection, but the Cardinals must have more punch in the middle of their lineup. Rolen’s only batting .272, and Jim Edmonds’ average has plummeted to .226. Worse yet, the two combine for only 72 RBIs. If this team expects to go anywhere this year, both will have to produce.
3) They have to put together a few winning streaks.
Last night against Pittsburg, the Cardinals tied their longest winning streak of the year. Unfortunately, it was only their forth consecutive victory, and we’re nearly a hundred games into the season. The reality is that this team is going to have to better both Cubs and the Brewers from here forward, both of those teams are probably going to play above-.500 ball here on out. The Cardinals willl probably need close to ninety wins to take the division
If we fail to see any of the above, don’t expect a red October.
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