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It has been a disappointing start to the season for the Chicago Cubs National League Central rival, the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals are sitting in fourth place in the National League Central with a record of 9-15 and the focus has been on the struggle of their starting pitching.
The Cardinals' current ERA is 4.48. Whatever the problem is, a St. Louis ERA that high is unusual -- they haven't had staff numbers that inflated over a full season since 2007 (4.65) and 2006 (4.54).
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) April 25, 2023
The Cardinals' 2023 season may have hit a new low on Tuesday night in their game against the San Francisco Giants. Entering the bottom of the ninth inning with a 4-2 lead over the Giants, Cardinals' closer Ryan Helsley suffered his third blown save on the season as he gave up the lead in dramatic fashion.
"If I told you I saw that coming, I'd be Pinocchio."
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 26, 2023
Down to his last strike, Blake Sabol launches a 2-run homer to cap a 3-run rally, giving the Giants an improbable win over the Cardinals. pic.twitter.com/Y8uk6SSzxV
Watching the Cardinals collapse as they did on Tuesday night is far more enjoyable when the Cubs are playing competitive games at the Major League level. The Cardinals have lost 7 of their last 10 games and while a division can not be won in April, it certainly can be lost.
The Cubs, meanwhile, enjoyed a 6-0 victory over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday and are 13-9 on the season while winning 6 of their last 10 games.
For the Cubs, a hot start to the season was crucial to remaining competitive in 2023. There definitely have been red flags present for the Cubs but the team has been able to overcome their deficiencies and play winning baseball.
The Chicago Cubs are benefiting from the St. Louis Cardinals' struggles to begin the 2023 season.
The fact that the Cardinals have struggled out of the gate has been an important development for the Cubs. The easiest path to the postseason for the Cubs in 2023 will be through winning the division. Assuming the Pittsburgh Pirates come back down to earth, the Cubs already have a five-game advantage over the Cardinals and are only a game from matching the Milwaukee Brewers.
With reinforcements coming in the form of starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks and the eventual promotion of first base prospect Matt Mervis, the Cubs could be in a position to make an extended run as the season progresses.