Jun 13, 2013; Flushing, NY,USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (50) pitches during the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Image Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
St. Louis Cardinals are the best team in baseball, and they have rode their stellar pitching all season long. They have the best team ERA in all of baseball at 3.17. The pitcher that is leading the way for them is their ace starting pitcher Adam Wainwright.
He just became the first pitcher to 10 wins this season, and this is not a surprise considering how consistent he has been on the mound. Wainwright is a great example that you don’t need to have a blazing fastball and blow hitters away to have success as a starting pitcher.
The key for him is that he is able to control all of his pitches, and that he can can throw any of those pitchers for a strike when he needs to, regardless if he is ahead in the count or behind the count.
This all stems from the confidence that he has in his abilities to pitch great, and provide his team with an opportunity to earn a victory each time he starts a game.
He is among the league leaders in ERA which is now sitting at 2.18, and this is 4th in the NL. Another reason why opposing teams have found it difficult facing him is that he rarely walks batters or give up home runs.
He has only allowed seven free passes and surrendered two home runs in 96 innings pitched on the year. This means that he rarely makes mistakes when he pitches, and that an opposing team is going to work very hard to score runs off him.
Another aspect that makes him a great pitcher is that he likes to finish what he starts. He already has three complete games this season, and barring an injury will have plenty more before the season is over.
Wainwright is one of the more complete pitchers in baseball and is poised to have a great season for the Cardinals.