Cardinals bash way to top of NL Central
St. Louis putting pressure on division-rival Cubs • Top teams look to maintain momentum
It’s hard to fathom, but the St. Louis Cardinals are going on four years without a playoff berth.
Thanks to a red-hot start to the second half, they’ll at least have the chance to end that drought this season.
The Cardinals have won 13 of 17 games since the break, are tied atop the National League Central and have moved into a tie for 10th in our power rankings.
And lo and behold, they welcomed none other than the Chicago Cubs to Busch Stadium for a three-game series that spans Wednesday’s trade deadline.
It’s the Cubs who are one game back of the Cardinals’ 57-49 record. And the Cubs who last dispatched the Cardinals from the playoffs with a Division Series conquest in 2015.
And the Cubs who have since won a pair of NL Central titles and a wild-card berth last year.
This time, they’ll have Paul Goldschmidt to contend with.
Goldschmidt’s streak of five straight games with a homer ended Sunday, but the Cardinals’ centerpiece acquisition is slugging the way they intended after trading for him and signing him to a $130 million extension this off-season. He’s slugged nine HRs in his last 15 games, pushing his average up to .258 and his home run total to 25.
Just in time for what should be a wild three-team race to the finish.
Here’s how our panel voted this week:
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
Defense further weakened if Enrique Hernandez is out a while.
2. Houston Astros
Just another playoff shoo-in urgently searching for bullpen help.
3. New York Yankees
It’s painful to give up prospects, but also painful to bow out in the ALDS two consecutive years.
4. Minnesota Twins
Hard to imagine their system wasn’t deep enough to win the Marcus Stroman bidding.
5. Atlanta Braves
They have all the capital – division lead, prospects to burn, money to spend.
6. Cleveland Indians
Let it all out, Trevor… in Cincinnati.
7. Boston Red Sox
Rough night for Chris Sale puts damper on big week.
8. Washington Nationals
Stephen Strasburg’s next win will equal his career high.
9. Tampa Bay Rays
Two-way guy Brendan McKay may get ball at Fenway Park this week.
T-10. St. Louis Cardinals
Shame on anyone who thought Paul Goldschmidt still wasn’t that dude.
T-10. Chicago Cubs
You could argue no club has more at stake these last two months.
T-10. Oakland Athletics
Noah Syndergaard surrounded by emerging arms would be intriguing this year, and the next two.
13. Milwaukee Brewers
Jhoulys Chacin’s injury (and poor performance) ramps up need for pitching help.
14. Philadelphia Phillies
You wonder what the standings look like if they’d beaten Atlanta to Dallas Keuchel.
15. San Francisco Giants
Farhan Zaidi probably better off drafting his own guy with a Madison Bumgarner comp pick, anyway.
16. Los Angeles Angels
Playoff teams don’t lose three in a row at home to Baltimore.
17. Arizona Diamondbacks
In perfect position to be both a buyer and a seller.
18. Texas Rangers
Mike Minor’s ERA-plus of 169 far better than any pitcher on the trade block.
19. New York Mets
Any chance Marcus Stroman’s Mets career resembles Mike Piazza’s Marlins run?
20. San Diego Padres
A Syndergaard package that includes Kirby Yates makes sense for both clubs.
21. Cincinnati Reds
Have a better run differential than Cardinals, Brewers and Phillies.
22. Colorado Rockies
Season probably doomed from the start, or at least when they never replaced Adam Ottavino.
23. Pittsburgh Pirates
Jolly Roger comes down and white flag goes up as GM admits it’s selling time.
24. Chicago White Sox
Yoan Moncada’s slash line up to .301/.358/.535.
25. Seattle Mariners
85 runs worse in differential than their nearest AL West competitor.
26. Toronto Blue Jays
Aaron Sanchez, Joe Biagini, Devon Travis only guys left from 2016 playoff team.
27. Kansas City Royals
Kudos if they find a trade partner willing to take all of Ian Kennedy’s salary.
28. Miami Marlins
8-9 since the All-Star break.
29. Baltimore Orioles
Adley Rutschman lands in Aberdeen, first of three Maryland stops before Baltimore.
30. Detroit Tigers
Maybe they can get a king’s ransom for Matthew Boyd. (USA Today/TNS)