Uh-oh, the Cardinals have just lose three straight games.
Don't get used to it, because they've only had one other 3-game losing streak this year — when they were swept by San Diego in early May. However, the three games against Cincinnati and Pittsburgh look bad.
Still, look at the aggregate stats. Among NL teams, they have the best offense (5.2 runs/game). They have the best pitching (3.74). They have the best bullpen (3.15). They have the winningest active manager in Tony Larussa (2114). And they're three games better than everyone else in the league. In their division alone, they're 8 1/2 games ahead of second-place Chicago.
It's almost not fair. Nobody ever talks about the Cardinals. Yet they've averaged 95 wins a season since 2000. They've won the division four times. And, oh by the way, they were that other team in the World Series. They were in the way of the Red Sox Destiny, and had the Sox been ousted in the ALCS, chances are we're all ranting and raving about the juggernaut that is the Cardinals.
But maybe their silent-but-deadly is just the way they want it. Said Larussa to MLB.com,
"I think the worst thing you can do sometimes is get distracted. And good stats distract you, and bad stats distract you. Compliments, criticisms, they all distract you. This game is mostly about concentrating on the next competition. And then, when the competition's over at the end of the regular season, then you look back and say, 'Hey, this is what the numbers were,' and you rank it wherever it was. But we don't need to get distracted."
This was in response to a question about their 45-25 start, their best beginning in 60 years. Eyes on the prize, Tony.
Is there any way they can lose this division? With an 8 1/2 game lead, they need only worry about Chicago, who will have their aces Kerry Wood and Mark Prior return shortly. But the lead is almost insurmountable as St. Louis will only get better now that All Star third baseman Scott Rolen has recovered from his shoulder injury.
Article comments
1 - dietdoc
Matt writes: So watch them if you must. But if they slip under your nose, they'll be one of two remaining teams in October
Reply: Couldn't agree with you more. They are the only team in baseball that has as many good hitters as the Yankees and a better pitching staff. The Red Sox look like they have fallen into the "Post-Championship Funk Syndrome," the Orioles will fade soon. In the NL, no one can top the Cardinals in a 7 game series.
My question this year is: Is this the year the Braves don't win the NL east? I see the Marlins taking it his year and I don't see the Braves making the playoffs. The string will end in 2005. The Cardinals and the Yankees will be in the series and the Cardinals will win it all.
Cheers,
Ron
2 - Tan The Man
As good as the pitching staff has been, I don't thnk Jason Marquis or Jeff Suppan can be mistaken for #1 or #2 pitchers. As good as they have been, I wouldn't match them up against Pedro or Clemens.