Red Hot Cardinals Surging Ahead in N.L. Central Race

It’s almost inevitable that the St. Louis Cardinals are in the hunt for the playoffs at this time of year, regardless of how they were dong during the early part of the schedule, and this year is no exception. For much of the season, St. Louis stayed within striking distance of the N.L. Central lead, but couldn’t quite get past the Milwaukee Brewers. Then, at the end of August, the Brewers started to lose, and the Cardinals began to get hot. St. Louis took over first place as the calendar moved into September, and faced the Brewers in a key four game series in Milwaukee the weekend of September 4th through the 7th.

The Brewers were flatter than stale beer, losing three of four in the series (and nine of their last 10) and finding themselves in third place five games behind the Cardinals and a half game behind the Pittsburgh Pirates. With only 19 games left, Milwaukee now has probably dug themselves too big a hole to climb out of, although six of those games are against the Cardinals and Pirates. Realistically, the Brewers are battling for a Wild Card but they are in danger of falling out of that race unless they immediately stop the bleeding. The Cardinals, meanwhile, have gotten hot at the right time, winning eight of 10. Adam Wainwright pitched a complete game 9-1 victory over Milwaukee to close out that series on September 7th. Here are some highlights of the game. Take a look at the nifty catch of a line drive by first baseman Matt Adams. Plays like that happen when things are going your way.