2007 St. Louis Cardinals Preview and Prediction
May 22, 2008
The St. Louis Cardinals look to be the class of the National League Central, but unless you’re a New York team in pin stripes, getting back for another crack at the big one just doesn’t happen in consecutive years. But, perhaps, the Cards have an advantage in that they should be able to learn from experience. In 2004, St. Louis made the World Series. The following year the Red Birds made an early exit from the postseason. St. Louis is going to have to make sure that it doesn’t run into another postseason slump following a World Series berth or, worse yet, not even make the playoffs as was the case with the Chicago White Sox last season after winning it all in 2005. If St. Louis can’t get back to the big one, I won’t blame it on a post World Series slump. I’ll blame it on the starting rotation.
Chris Carpenter and company pitched the Cards to a World Series Championship last season, but now the Red Birds have some new arms in their starting five which haven’t pitched in big games before. Former Cy Young Award winner, Chris Carpenter, needs no introduction although I gave him one. His 51 wins over the last three seasons puts him in an elite category among NL pitchers. Former Pirate and Ranger Kip Wells was added through free agency. The Cards are hoping that they can unlock his potential. Adam Wainright will have to prove himself as a starter after a strong season in the pen. Ryan Franklin comes in from Seattle with 20 more losses than wins in his short career. Hopefully Wells and Franklin will be helped by a solid lineup. We really can’t judge this rotation at all until Mulder returns in July from shoulder surgery. If any of these young guys can mature in the early part of the season, they will only make the Cards’ staff stronger when Mulder steps back on the mound.
Offensively, there is, perhaps, no hitter in baseball better than Albert Pujols and he added a gold glove in 2006 to his unmatched bat to make him an even more dominant player. Scott Rolen lives at the other corner in St. Louis. He had 22 home runs and 95 runs batted in 2006 in a year where he was recovering from shoulder surgery. Expect him to be even better in 2007. Duncan and Edmonds will provide some additional pop and Encarnacion is a guy who can get you about 20 home runs and 80 runs batted in in the number eight spot. The Red Birds will be fine at the plate in 2007.
Offensively and defensively, I think the Cards will be even better in 2007 with Rolen healthy and Chris Duncan getting a full season in the majors. The starting rotation is filled with unproven pitchers and one ace. St. Louis will hope that they can stay close to the top of the pack until Mulder returns. More pressure will be on the offense this season to pick up some of the slack. Pitching inconsistencies probably won’t keep the Cards from capturing another Central title, but it will keep them from doing much damage in the playoffs.
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