#Resume star mac series#

– The Cards have scored three runs or fewer in 29 games – the same amount of times as the walloping New York Yankees. – They’ve scored four runs of fewer in 38 games only four teams have done that less often. – The Cardinals have scored five runs or more in 39 games, which is tied with the Mets for the most in the majors. And through 77 games the Cardinals have been more consistent offensively than most. That’s because of a simple reason: all 30 offenses have slumps and inexplicably terrible performances over the course of 162 games. And over the last two months they rank 1st in the NL in batting average (.261), 2nd in wRC+, 2nd in OPS with runners in scoring position (.821), 3rd in slugging (.428), 3rd in OBP (.325) and 3rd in OPS (.753.) These improved numbers are a direct reflection on Goldschmidt, Arenado, Tommy Edman and rookies Brendan Donovan, Juan Yepez and Nolan Gorman.īut aren’t they inconsistent? What about that? I covered this a little while back, and the problem wasn’t as serious as many assumed. ➤ After a relatively quiet April the Cardinals have averaged 5.05 runs per game since the beginning of May.

➤ The Cards rank 3rd in the NL in park-and-league adjusted runs created (wRC+). 271 batting average with runners in scoring position. ➤ The Cardinals have the NL’s third-lowest strikeout rate (20.3%), and the second-best batting average (.196) on two-strike counts. ➤ They’re 4th in the NL in onbase percentage (.322), slugging percentage (.408) and extra-base hits percentage. ➤ They’re 3rd in the NL in OPS (.730) and batting average (.255).

➤ They rank 4th in the NL and 5th in the majors with an average of 4.81 runs per game. ➤ The Cardinals have the best OPS+ (110) in the National League and are 2nd in stolen bases. And all statistics are through Tuesday’s slate of games: It’s a lot better than perceived – no matter how many times the feverish, obsessed critics of hitting coach Jeff Albert will insist that he’s ruined the franchise … or whatever the hell it is they’re caterwauling over.įor the sane and rational readers out there – and a sincere thank you for existing, because your presence gives me faith in mankind – here are a few nuggets of information. But even if Alcantara shuts down the STL lineup, it wouldn’t alter my premise. And with Alcantara starting for the Marlins tonight, I’m probably picking the wrong day. In the coming days and weeks the focus should be on the pitching. They just have to crank it up to strengthen the roster to enhance the probability of a division title and postseason run. And substantial praise is warranted for STL’s consistently effective draft-development system that produces impactful talent.ĭespite the mistakes that have been made – you know, blunders similar to what the other 29 teams make – the Cardinals have a winning formula in place. It made sense at the time.Īnd if we’re gonna slam the Cardinal front office for that trade, we have to give ‘em a couple of attaboys for subsequent deals that landed Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado. Perhaps the Marlins can be sweet-talked into trading Alcantara back to the Cardinals? Do not cry another Mississippi river over the trade that sent Alcantara and Zac Gallen to Miami for left fielder Marcell Ozuna before the 2018 season. His name is Sandy Alcantara, and Miami’s righthander has the third-best ERA (1.95) among MLB starting pitchers this season. Standing in the way is a large and imposing obstacle.

#Resume star mac series#

After winning the first two games of the series against the Marlins, the Cardinals will try to complete the sweep on Wednesday night at Busch Stadium.