NLCentral_St. Louis Cardinals

2014 Houston Gameday HQ

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS 5-YEAR SCORECARD 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 WINS 97 88 90 86 91 RUNS PER GAME 4.83 4.72 4.70 4.54 4.51 RUNS ALLOWED PER GAME 3.68 4.00 4.27 3.96 3.95 OPENING-DAY PAYROLL (millions) $117 $112 $109 $94 $89 Adam Wainwright 2014 STRENGTHS: • Deep, relentless batting order wears out opposing pitchers • Power arms throughout the staff • The Cardinals are actually improved defensively from ‘13’s N.L. fielding leader 2014 WEAKNESSES: • The lack of a true long-ball threat • Hitting lefties • Lack of speed on basepaths With two trips to the World Series in the last three years and three straight appearances in the NLCS, the Cardinals are the elite franchise in the National League. They’re certainly the NL Central’s best, and, with their stocked pitching staff, relentless hitting and improved defense, their division reign could be a long one. HITTING The Cardinals’ offense has finished first or second in the National League in batting average every year but one since 2008 (2009 they tied for fourth) and first or second each of the last three years in runs scored. Their plus- 187 run differential was second in the Majors. Even without 2011 World Series hero David Freese and last year’s home run leader Carlos Beltran, the Cardinals are loaded. Matt Holliday, a healthy Allen Craig, Matt Adams and Yadier Molina anchor the order. Leadoff hitter Matt Carpenter was an All-Star in ’13, led the NL in runs, and hit a franchise-record 55 doubles. New shortstop Jhonny Peralta adds pop at short. The Cardinals were historic in the clutch, hitting .330 with runners in scoring position (led by Craig’s .454) and .305 with runners in scoring position and two out. There’s not much power on the bench, just more stubborn, relentless bats. NL Central ELSA/GETTY IMAGES SPORT


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