It’s been a quite some time since I wrote about the 2007 version of the Cardinals. It’s been a busy season and time just seems to slip. One week turns into a month into two months. Anyway, the Cardinals prospects have improved quite a bit since then and since August 1, they’re 21-17. Doesn’t sound all that great but it’s the fourth best record in the National League and it’s only by a year and a half. Yeah, the Cardinals back below .500 and sure they’ve dropped two straight but they’re just two games out and a good week away from moving into first place.
It’s kind of strange because when you look at the Cardinals numbers as a team, you wouldn’t think they’d be in contention even in a mediocre division. They’re ERA is eleventh in the National League and they’re eleventh in runs scored. It seems like they’re only thing they’re really good at doing is not giving up homeruns and not giving up walks although this is countered a bit by being near the bottom in strikeouts.
They have gotten a little lucky though and they’ve outplayed their expected wins by six. They’ve given up 61 more runs then they’ve scored only the Astros have a worst expected wins/loss with 61 versus the Cardinals 63. Even the defense has been average if you look at that team page I link to. And with no standout pitcher and only Albert Pujols as an elite hitter, it makes you wonder how the Cardinals have gotten to where they are.
Not that people shouldn’t get excited because once you’re in the playoffs, all bets are off. Just look at last year when nobody gave the Cardinals a chance from day one yet they walked away with the World Series win. And at least the Cardinals will make these three weeks interesting for us.
