The Cardinals managed to right the shift mid-way through their brief homestand. After allowing The Phillies to score 16 runs against them in just two games, they shut the Pirates down, limiting them to just four runs. The bullpen was responsible for 6.2 innings of work over those two contests, but didn’t allow any runs. They picked up a win in Mitchell Boggs’ start, which was earned by Kyle McClellan and also recorded two saves, both by default closer Ryan Franklin. The bullpen was a liability earlier in the season, but now that it’s managed to take shape around Franklin, it’s becoming a real asset for the club in the late innings.
The Cardinals lineup is still producing on a consistent basis as well. Even in the two-game sweep that they suffered to the defending champs, they managed to produce nine runs. It just wasn’t enough to overcome Philadelphia’s potent offense. If the team can start to get better starts out of Adam Wainwright and eventually get Chris Carpenter back to replace Boggs, who has been good, but just can’t go deep enough into games, they should have no problem remaining atop the NL Central.
The Cards have a six-game road trip coming up, but taking four of six or even five of six shouldn’t be out of the question. The Reds currently have a flu bug going through their clubhouse and it’s been affecting the right side of their infield. Second baseman Brandon Phillips and first baseman Joey Votto are two of the bigger cogs in the Cincinnati offense, so without them at full strength, St. Louis’ pitching staff should have less trouble mowing down the Reds, even at the Great American Ballpark Launching Pad.
After three in the Queen city, the Cards finally get a day off after having 20 consecutive days of scheduled games. Sure, they got rained out once in Washington, but a rainout hardly counts as an off day as the players still have to be mentally prepared to compete in case the game does get played. This should help the club, especially the regulars like Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina, who have played the majority of the Cards’ games this season. They will then head to Pittsburgh, Pujols’ home ballpark away from home. He has a career average of .386 at PNC Park in 62 games with 20 home runs and 57 RBI. His .731 slugging percentage is his second highest in NL parks, behind only a .788 mark at Atlanta’s Turner Field.
Pujols isn’t alone in owning the Pirates. The Cards would be 5-1 against them this season if not for Jason Motte’s opening day meltdown. The Cards got the Bucs for two games when the club was really struggling, so hopefully for the Cards, they can extend the trend into late next week.
