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Chicago Cubs: Are the St. Louis Cardinals again the Cubs’ biggest threat?
As the season comes down to the final eight weeks, the Chicago Cubs still find themselves in a tight race. Everyone has worried about the Milwaukee Brewers but don’t look now – here come the St. Louis Cardinals.
Around four weeks ago, it seemed like the NL Central race would come down to the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers. The St. Louis Cardinals were hovering around .500 and were on the brink of having their season pretty much end with a few more losses. But, in typical Cardinals fashion, they refuse to go away.
In the blink of an eye, the Cardinals are just two games out of the Wild Card and five back of the Cubs going into Tuesday. Back on July 31, the Redbirds were just one game over .500 and in fourth place in the division. The team was not scoring runs and their defense was worst in the National League. Their MLB.com postseason projections had them at a seven percent chance of making the playoffs. Going into Tuesday they are now nine above .500, thanks to a 16-9 mark in the second half.
So are these guys a threat to the Cubs? There are arguments for and against it, though only time will tell what will happen.
Chicago Cubs: Looking at the Cardinals chances
Unlike the Brewers and Pirates, the Cardinals only play the Cubs a few more times. A three-game set at Wrigley Field to conclude the regular season are the only remaining games between the two, and a lot can happen in between now and then.
Right now this Cardinals team is being carried by Matt Carpenter, who is going on an unbelievable tear. Since the All-Star Break, he is slashing .333/.449/1.272 with 14 home runs. Yes, 14 home runs. His production is one of, if not the main reason this team is winning a lot of games right now. Credit also has to be given to starting pitchers like Miles Mikolas, Jack Flaherty and John Gant for pitching well while Carlos Martinez has been on the DL.
What makes the Cardinals seem like more of the threat are the front office moves they have made. Biggest one firing Mike Matheny, who many would argue was the main problem with that team. Lack of chemistry and fundamentals is something a manager can really help or hurt. They also dropped the struggling Greg Holland to make room for new arms in the pen. Right now it looks like addition by subtraction, and that can make a big difference to a team.
Chicago Cubs: Should Cubs fans be worried?
I’m not sure “worried” is the right word to use right now. Cubs fans should definitely keep an eye on them, as they could continue to surge. What can make the Cardinals recent hot spell look more intimidating is the sheer fact that they are the Cardinals, this is what they do so often. They go on magical runs and find ways to win even when things look bleak.
Talent wise, the Chicago Cubs are the better team. If they get Kris Bryant, Yu Darvish and Brandon Morrow healthy and play good baseball down the stretch, they’ll win the division. Of course, the Cardinals getting a Wild Card spot could potentially create another postseason match up between these two teams. But we can cross that bridge when we get to it.
Next. Believe it or not, life is possible without Bryant. dark
Right now, the Cubs have to concentrate on beating the Brewers and Pirates as there are a lot of games left with those teams. Essentially the Cubs have no control over what the Cardinals do up until that final series. All they can do is take care of their own business.