So, here we sit, on September 2 of the 2013 baseball season. Less than one month before the beginning of the postseason. It’s been a good season, lots to be proud of in Cardinal Nation. The Cardinals began the season with the best record in baseball for quite some time until they were overtaken in that lead by the Pirates. The NL Central has been on fire, and it’s been a battle to the finish line for the top 3: Pirates, Cardinals and Reds. Not sure if the Baseball Gods foretold this, and set up a late-season battle, but the Cardinals have been stuck with playing the two others for quite some time, and it’s not over yet.
Over the last seven games when the Cardinals have played both the Reds and the Pirates, their record is 3-4. Almost .500, certainly not 0, so that’s a plus. Unfortunately, in these games, they have been outscored 38-24. Regardless of how well the Cards have done over these past two series, I do believe we can look at the positive side of things, with a few other thoughts thrown in.
What’s good and getting better:
* Matt Holliday- he’s getting more consistent with the bat, going 8 for 23 (.347) against the Pirates and Reds. He’s increased his batting average for the season by .003. As long as this continues, he will be a force in the playoffs.
* John Jay- as the season has progressed, he has shown that he is a strong bat in the bottom of the lineup. His defense ain’t so shabby, neither.
* Joe Kelly- going 7-1 since the All-Star break, his Ferrari skills have been responsible for 2 of the Cards’ 3 wins the last 7 games. If he continues this pace, I think he has earned his right as the second starter for the playoffs (second only to Wainwright, whom I refuse to give up on).
* Allen Craig- he’s the guy you want up to bat when there are any runners on. Need I say more?
What’s kind of iffy:
* Yadi’s health- Apparently, the wrist is nothing to worry about. As long as he’s not placed on the long-term DL, I think we’re golden. The extra rest will be good for him to have going into the playoffs.
* Beltran’s health- See above, except put in “back tightness” where you see “wrist”.
Yikes:
* The addition of Axford to the bullpen- Really?! I mean, seriously?! I apologize if your an Axford fan, wait, no I don’t. I remember in postseasons past when this guy would come into the games for the Brewers. It made me giddy. I loved it when he pitched against the Cards, they always picked him apart. Not that I’m not going to hope he does well in a redbird uniform, but I think there were better options than this. But, hey, that’s why I’m not making the big bucks.
All in all, this season is far from over. With a 7-game lead in the Wild Card (if that’s what it comes to) race, we will be cheering the birds on in yet another postseason. Let’s look at it all optimistically and know that the Cardinals will pull out of the mini-slump.
Go Cards!
