It’s beginning to feel like September style baseball. Just a few weeks ago, the Cardinals chances of Postseason ball were slim, and now they have the opportunity to take a 0.5 game lead over Milwaukee with a victory tonight.
The Cardinals have been arguably the best team in the month of August. They have a 13-3 record and have won six straight series dating back to July 27th. Not only has the newly formed youthful bullpen been lights out, but the team has been solid offensively and defensively as well. It seems as though Mike Shildt has done well in his interview.
Pitching Ranks in NL
ERA | 1st | 2.66
WHIP | 2nd | 1.13
oOPS | 1st | .607
BAA | 2nd | .219
Batting Ranks in NL
AVG | 1st | .289
OPS | 1st | .833
Runs | 3rd | 85
HR | T-4th | 21
The team has their share of defensive studs as well in the form of Kolten Wong and Harrison Bader. Here are some highlights.
FOX Sports Midwest on Twitter
ICYMI: Harrison Bader robs Bryce Harper of a hit with an UNBELIEVABLE diving catch. #STLCards #CardsForTroops https://t.co/tqtQzG7xKc
FOX Sports Midwest on Twitter
ICYMI: Kolten Wong boosts his campaign for his first Gold Glove with this defensive gem. #STLCards https://t.co/ZsOG5YNoVK
The Cardinals send out Miles Mikolas for game 2 against Milwaukee. The 29 year-old has been one of the best stories in baseball, coming over from Japan and making a resurgence back into the Major Leagues for the Cardinals. He is 12-3 with a 2.85 ERA over 151.1 innings. Mikolas has flummoxed teams all season by going after guys from the start. He ranks 3rd in all of baseball throwing 68.8 % of his pitches for strikes.
This will be the 4th time Mikolas has faced Milwaukee and his first since June 23rd. He is 2-0 against the Brewers in his previous 3 starts with a 4.95 ERA over 18.2 innings. His most notable moment against the Brewers came from Mikolas’ first Major League hit, a home run off of Zach Davies.
https://twitter.com/foxsports/status/980901328393158656?s=21
Mikolas has given up a season high 4 Earned Runs on 4 occasions, two of which were against the Brewers. Although he has two victories against Milwaukee, his ERA without those starts drops to 2.59 on the season.
As far as this season goes, Mikolas has been the Cardinals best starter. If not for stellar seasons from Max Scherzer, Jacob DeGrom, and Aaron Nola, Mikolas could be in line for the NL Cy Young conversation.
Prediction
Cardinals 6 – 2 Brewers
Mikolas goes 7 and gives up 1 earned run. Cardinals strike early against Miley. Take over 2nd Wild Card spot from Milwaukee.
What are your thoughts?
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