Cardinals winning streak: Three reasons why St. Louis has 16 straight wins and could be a threat in October

On Aug. 8 following a 6-5 house loss to the in any other case humble Royals, the St. Louis Cardinals fell one sport beneath .500. With lower than two months of normal season remaining, their playoff odds have been, based on most sources for such issues, lower than 3.0 p.c. Throw within the considerably baffling deadline additions of doubtful veteran starters Jon Lester and J.A. Happ, and the Cardinals appeared sure to see their mini-streak of two straight playoff appearances come to an finish. 

Issues, although, modified and did so to excessive levels. After slipping beneath the waterline on Aug. 8, Mike Shildt’s membership instantly gained six in a row after which struggled throughout a 10-13 stretch. That, nevertheless, led into the ongoing 16-game winning streak that redefined the 2021 season in St. Louis. Because of the streak — and struggles elsewhere within the NL playoff race — the Cardinals have seized their fellow contenders for the ultimate NL wild card spot by the lapels and thrown them from a transferring prepare. St. Louis has now secured its 14th straight successful season and can nearly actually lock up a playoff bid within the days to come back (the club’s magic number is one entering the week).

So what’s occurred? How does what was a relatively atypical wanting staff on the fringes of relevance conjure up the longest successful streak in franchise historical past? As you might need guessed, it isn’t anyone factor… 

1. The offense has been crushing the ball

Not surprisingly, the Cardinals have unlocked massive energy during the last 16 video games. Previous to the successful streak, the St. Louis offense ranked twenty third in MLB with a slugging share of .396, they usually ranked twenty fourth in house runs. Through the streak, the Cardinals lead all of baseball with a slugging share of .531 (33 factors forward of the No. 2 staff, the Blue Jays). They’re additionally tied for the MLB lead during the last 16 video games with 31 house runs. To place that slugging share in context, Aaron Judge of the Yankees at this writing additionally has an SLG of .531. So since Sept. 11 the Cardinals have been hitting for energy like a lineup filled with Aaron Judges. Optimum, that.

Paul Goldschmidt and Tyler O’Neill have been notably lethal through the win streak. Goldbird got here into Sunday’s collection finale in Wrigley with a slash line of .386/.463/.825 over the prior 15 video games, after which he went out and homered for seventh time through the streak. O’Neill coming into Sunday’s tilt had a slash line of .305/.354/.695 for the streak with, like Goldschmidt, seven house runs. In that sixteenth straight win on Sunday, O’Neill added a pair of singles to his pile. 

As a partial consequence of their latest run, the Cardinals now boast three 30-homer hitters (Goldschmidt, O’Neill, and Nolan Arenado) and eight hitters with 10 or extra homers. The total-strength St. Louis lineup can produce some thunder, particularly contemplating the pitcher-friendly nature of Busch Stadium. That is exactly what they have been doing during the last 16 video games, and it is no accident they have been successful on the identical time. 

2. The bullpen has been dominant

Over the course of the 16-game successful streak, the Cardinals bullpen has allowed a decidedly meager 1.25 runs per sport throughout 63 1/3 innings. Very a lot associated is that St. Louis relievers because the streak started on Sept. 11 have allowed simply 0.57 house runs per sport, which is the bottom determine amongst NL bullpens over that span. Evidently, a great way to guard middle- and late-inning leads is to not hand over house runs, and the bullpen has been doing that. 

3. The workers as a complete has lower down on walks

By means of Sept. 10 — i.e., the day earlier than this 16-game streak started — the Cardinal pitching workers ranked final in all of MLB with a stroll price of three.97 batters per 9 innings. Through the streak, nevertheless, Cardinal pitchers have permitted 3.11 walks per 9, which is the Twelfth-lowest determine within the majors over that span. 

Clearly, avoiding walks is an efficient factor for pitchers, however pounding the zone has notably advantages for the Cardinals. That is as a result of the St. Louis protection is particularly adept at changing batted balls into outs. In relation to Defensive Effectivity Score, which is the share of balls in play {that a} protection converts into outs, the Cardinals’ 2021 determine of .715 ranks second solely to that of the Dodgers in all of MLB. In the event you take a look at Outs Above Common, the Statcast defensive metric, then you definitely’ll discover the Cardinals lead all of baseball by a big margin. 

All of this actually passes the odor take a look at. The Cardinals, you may argue, have plus fielders at each place (no matter whether or not Edmundo Sosa or Paul DeJong is manning shortstop), and that is particularly been the case since heart fielder Harrison Bader returned from harm. It is no accident that the Cardinals’ run prevention numbers have improved since their pitchers — by design or glad accident — started difficult hitters extra straight and letting that elite protection do its supportive work. 

Talking of which: 

• Cardinals pitchers pre-winning streak: 45.2 p.c induced swing share, final in MLB
• Cardinals pitchers throughout successful streak: 48.3 p.c induced swing share, thirteenth in MLB

The St. Louis workers typically would not submit gaudy strikeout numbers, so the perfect consequence given these limitations is to restrict walks, preserve the ball within the yard, and lean on these gloves. That is what they have been doing currently. 

So what is the recipe for a deep playoff run, together with an upset of the NL West runner-up within the NL Wild Card Sport? The final 16 video games for St. Louis recommend it is hitting homers on offense and catching the ball within the area. Sounds simple sufficient, no?