With the St. Louis Cardinals latest losing streak reaching three games, the equivalent of their deficit in the NL Central, many fans may be ready to write them off.
Even though I may have a strong bias for the Cardinals, I honestly think that this squad has a chance to make the playoffs, beating out the Chicago Cubs or Milwaukee Brewers.
Despite some major acquisitions from the two aforementioned teams, the Cardinals haven't lost any ground in the past two weeks. In fact, even with a rugged bullpen, the Redbirds still look poised to come around eventually.
Tonight may mark the Cardinals four consecutive loss to the Brew Crew, but even so, there shouldn't be much to worry about.
That said, the announcers of St. Louis baseball seem to be giving the bullpen a "Get out of Jail Free" card, noting that our offense has been just as pitiful in this series.
I think that it is pretty unfair to ignore the struggles that the bullpen is having, especially because it has happened in so many games lately.
The tipping point was probably Bill Hall's two-out home run in the ninth inning that won the game against the Cards the other night after a beautiful outing from starter Kyle Lohse.
As I have said in previous articles, something acquisition must be made. Clearly, it should be a bullpen decision, but it wouldn't surprise me if the management either did nothing or made a move to get a second baseman.
Russ Springer is the only person I can trust anymore. I think he will carry the bullpen, along with Kyle McClellan and Chris Perez to the playoffs.
Although the Cardinals’ fans have had to endure three tough losses to the Brewers this week, don't fret quite yet.
If our bullpen comes around, the offense can easily do its own part to make the postseason. After all, no one expected the Birds to be this close at this point in the year, so whatever they can do for the remainder of the season will only be a bonus.
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2 months ago
Even though we did face Milwaukee's two best pitchers, I'm concerned that we still struggled to generate offense against the rest of their staff. I know we can score runs, they've proven they can do that. However, it seems as though it's not consistent offensive streaks. They'll be hot for one month and then cool off the next.
There's no doubt they've got a shot to either win the division or the wild card, but like I've stated in so many other articles: they cannot afford to keep having their bullpen blow games for them if they're going to move forward.
2 months ago
more of the same tonight. What about acquiring a high impact reliever, like Houston Street?
from 2 months ago
Interesting comment. Street is indeed "impact", but I'm still very skeptical of the Cards' management.
2 months ago
I completely agree in McClellan, Springer, but I'm unsure of Perez. What about maybe putting Wainwright back in the pen to get those guys some confidence back. Starting pitching hasn't been our problem I don't think. I mean it could be better, but so could everything else be.
2 months ago
im a Cards fan and inspite of your efforts to cheer up cards fan like me..i just cant help but wonder how, how the hell are they going to make it? this aint the 2006 season where they won the NL central with an 84-78 record this season the Cubs & the Brewers wont let us do that and if being swept by the Brewers isnt a cause for panick i dont know what is...all the same i still love our Cards but they gotta recognize the best they can hope for might be the NL wild card race and loosing 4 games against the other NL wildcard hopefull doesnt help them clinch the berth
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