The Cardinals sit 7 1/2 games back of the first place Brewers in the NL Central as the second half kicks off tomorrow. While the hitters have held their own, it’s the pitching that has been disappointing this year. When your team high in ERA is only 4.66 (Adam Wainwright), something has to be wrong and if the Cardinals make a move, it has to be for another starter. The problem is, the price may be too high for a team that has to have a solid July just to show they’ll be buyers and not sellers.
Anthony Reyes looks like he’s going to be a minor leaguer the rest of the year after losing his first ten decisions of the season. His ERA of 6.40 doesn’t jive though because while his WHIP of 1.42 isn’t great, it also doesn’t usually tie in with such a high number of runs and all of those losses. Regardless, Reyes will get some time in the minors to work things out.
Albert Pujols, once again, has to be the team MVP so far. He leads the team in pretty much everything despite not hitting a homerun in almost a month. Still, if the Cardinals are going to compete, it’ll be Albert Pujols who leads them there.
And what about Rick Ankiel. The pitcher turned outfielder is tearing up the minors and it wouldn’t surprise me if we saw him soon. He’s belted 26 homeruns and he sports an impressive .904 OPS for the Memphis Red Birds and he definitely makes for a great comeback story.
The Cardinals play three against the Phillies beginning Friday and there’s no better time to start a push in the division then now. Kip Wells will take on Jamie Moyer in the opener.
