For almost the entirety of the season so far, the Red Birds have ruled the NL Central; well actually the whole league; as they have had the best record for quite some time now. So, why say they are going to fall, even when they have had major injuries such as losing Waino for the season that has not held them back? Why not, it’s baseball, anything can happen, along with the holes in the roster eventually catching up to them. However, the biggest potential threat of the Cardinals losing their crown is a likely threat around the world for any profession over seas, Pirates.
After going doormat for the first two months of the season at just above .500, the Buckos started to seize ships all throughout the league, as from June on they have gone a mere 37-20 giving them the now 3rd best record in baseball. Part of that record is credited to winning 4/5 against St Louis in their last 5 meetings with the Red Birds. The Cardinals may have been an unstoppable force the whole year, but every team has a downfall part of every season, and it hasn’t come yet for the Red Birds; it’s already mid-August, not long until September.
From here on out, the two squads will meet three more times for a total of 9 games, but they meet twice for two big series over the next 4 weeks. Meanwhile, the Cardinals have a stretch of tough matchups against hot opponents, such as NL West foes Giants and Padres, while the Buckos have it easy with facing under .500 teams like the Marlins and Brewers. By the way, the second to last series of the regular season, places the hot St Louis team in PNC Park (Pirates are 37-18 at home). These next 4 weeks will tell the final tale of the NL Central division race; who will be in first before the last showdown?
The last 3 games against each other might be different, considering that the Red Birds could have some of their injured stars back from the DL. Matt Holliday has been dealing with quad and knee problems all summer, Adam Wainwright is out indefinitely with a torn Achilles tendon, Matt Adams is potentially out until mid-September with quadriceps problems, and Jon Jay has been touch and go with wrist problems. Those are 4 big stars that are crucial to a potential Red Bird championship squad. Despite Mike Matheny running away with the NL Manager of the Year Award, big holes that have DL written on them will catch up to a team, no matter what; especially with a team like the Buckos right behind them, as healthy as ever. 6 games may be a bit of a separation, but just a couple weeks before all-star break, the Pirates were 8 games back, then pulled to within 2 after taking 3/4 games from the Cardinals in the last series before the break.
The Buckos have been riding the hot train with Andrew McCutchen at the helm, as he, along with the squad, started the season on a low point, but now have heated up, batting .294 with 16 homers plus 69 RBI’s. The Pirates have also been lead by the breakout all-star season of Starling Marte, the brilliant substitution behind the plate for Russell Martin in Fransisco Cervelli (batting .304), and the great movement in the infield by manager Clint Hurdle to replace the injured Jordy Mercer and Josh Harrison with multiple guys. With good depth of reserve help, along with a sound starting lineup, the Pirates have been able to support their superb pitching staff well enough, who consist of AJ Burnett and Francisco Liriano with ERA’s in the 2’s, backing their ace, then having a top closer to seize the 9th inning. This Buckos team is one of the most put together squads in the majors, and even though the Cardinals may have the division locked up, it’s never over, till it’s over, here comes Pittsburgh!
