NL Wild Card race narrows, which team earns the final spot?
By Travis Koch
Each game remaining for the Cardinals is against a divisional opponent. This includes seven games against the Cubs, and what could be a make-or-break season finale series at home against the Brewers. The Cards are 4-8 against the Cubs this season and 7-9 against the Brewers. In total, they are 25-31 against their division. St. Louis’ divisional record does not bode well given their remaining schedule.
The Cardinals are known for their steadiness year after year, however, they had drifted from their customary play for much of the 2017 season. St. Louis has been up and down all year. They will go 5-2 one week, and 2-5 the following week. Inconsistency has placed the Cardinals behind the eight ball.
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That being said, they remain in contention for both the division and for the Wild Card. September has always been a friendly month to a Cardinals’ franchise which has a history of playoff success. The same goes for this September. St. Louis is 8-2 so far this month. They are playing great ball at a great time.
Much thanks goes to starting pitcher Luke Weaver, who has been outstanding, going 5-1 in his six starts since returning to the St. Louis rotation. Weaver, along with Lance Lynn, have been crucial to the team’s recent success.
Starting pitching is the backbone of the Cardinals’ squad. Their offense may be hit or miss, but their pitching can carry them to the postseason and beyond. We’ll see how the next 19 games play out, but one thing is for sure: The St. Louis Cardinals are the most dangerous team in the race, and they are certainly the Diamondbacks’ last choice to play in a one-game playoff.