Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Biggest Win of the Season for Redbirds

Without being overly dramatic, it's time the Cardinals step up and start winning some games; especially games against teams like the Dodgers...and pitchers like Clayton Kershaw.  They did, on Tuesday night.

It didn't look good when the Redbirds were in a 2-0 hole against the team that has owned St Louis for a frustrating eight consecutive games, with last year's Cy Young Award winner appearing to be in complete control.  All the weight of that miserable streak seemed to be lifted off the collective shoulders of the Cards when Adam Wainwright ripped one in the gap to cut the deficit to a single run in the fifth inning.  The real fun began in a six-run sixth; featuring a bases loaded walk to Waino, when the score was only 3-2 in favor of the Redbirds.  Open the flood gates; exit Clayton Kershaw, who gave up a career high eight runs to the team that has been the highest scoring squad in the NL all season long, but had scored a measly 21 runs in the previous eight games to LA - all losses.

With Cincinnati winning again, St Louis remains six games out, which sounds a whole lot better than seven games out.  Of course, timing is everything, and the Reds happen to be playing the Houston Astros at a time the Astros haven't won much of anything for the past month.  Still, the Reds are definitely winning when they have to - for the time being.  Much can happen over the final two months of the season.  Actually, much can happen over the final month of season (Anybody remember 2011?).

This season has so many similarities to last season, it's almost scary.  Last year, it was Chris Carpenter rising to the occasion in the second half to pitch the Cardinals to a playoff berth, with Waino on the sidelines.  This year, it seems like Waino is taking on that role as his buddy recuperates.  It would be nice to have both aces dealing in 2013; wouldn't it?

In the meantime, St Louis has a playoff berth to capture this year, and for the first time since early May, they appear to be heading in the right direction.  Tuesday night's outcome could be the catalyst that gets them rolling, once and for all.  We'll see.


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