Fourteen games into the 2012 season, the St. Louis Cardinals have 10 wins, and have yet to lose a series. Though there have mostly been positive moments in the season, there are concerns mixed in. Lets look at what is going well, and what will have to change if the Cardinals plan to repeat as World Champions in 2012.
Whats Good:
Lance Lynn has been brilliant on the mound. The burly man that is only 24 years of age has three wins, and has been stepping into Chris Carpenter’s shoes quite well.
David Freese’s is still smacking the ball. He is hitting .364, and already has collected 13 runs batted in.
Matt Carpenter has been stepping in very well when needed. The utility man has collected clutch hits for the team.
Carlos Beltran has been slugging the ball, making the Cardinal’s offseason signing look smart.
Jason Motte has already collected three saves, and has a 1.50 ERA.
Yadier Molina is playing like, well, Yadier Molina. Molina is consistent, and is one of the best catchers in baseball.
Mike Matheny looks nothing like a new manager. He is calm and collected, and appears to be leading the team well.
Whats Bad:
Injuries have bugged the Cardinals so far. Allen Craig is yet to play a game, and Skip Schumaker has just gotten off the disabled list. Lance Berkman is excpected to spend a stint on the 15-day disabled list. Chris Carpenter still has not returned, and David Freese has had nagging injuries.
Adam Wainwright has not played well since returning to the Cardinal rotation. He already has three losses, and an ERA of .988.
Matt Holliday has been struggling a bit at the plate, hitting a lowly .203.
Analysis:
The Cardinals have a quality team this year. Excpect Yadier Molina to keep up his production, and Adam Wainwright to settle in and become more of the pitcher we saw in 2009 and 2010. David Freese will not be able to keep up his torrid pace at the plate, but he will still be a threat in the middle of the Cardinal’s lineup. The Cardinal pitching will continue to be strong, but will take steps back. The bench is deep, and the Cardinals will be in good shape as the season wears on.
St. Louis fans should be excited about the Cardinals. However, there will be tough stretches. The Major League Baseball season is long, and has just begun. That said, the Cardinals have a very solid team, and excpect to see them when the playoffs role around.
(Photo by Chris Lee/St. Louis Post-Dispatch/MCT)
