8* 

Take St Louis (#967)

We can basically throw out the regular season when it comes to the St Louis Cardinals.  Remember, the Cards missed two weeks of action due to COVID issues early on, leaving them with a truly brutal ’53 games in 44 days including 11 doubleheaders’ closing stretch.  They had Monday and Tuesday off, and looked like a refreshed team yesterday.  Starter Adam Wainwright: “The position players are the guys who wore it.  You could look into their faces and see they were tired.  These guys are competitors.  I look forward to seeing what they can do now (that they’ve had a break to recuperate).” 

The Cardinals bats were quiet for most of the back half of the campaign, but they broke out yesterday.  No surprise if the Cards do it again today against a Padres staff that entered the postseason without their top two starters.  Zack Davies is no ace and San Diego’s bullpen got used up yesterday, with seven relievers throwing 6.2 innings of work.   No surprise here if the Cards enjoy another strong offensive showing.

Even if the Cards bats aren’t pounding out hits and runs today, they’re more than capable of winning a low scoring game instead.  Adam Wainwright is a proven postseason performer, and he’s been eating up innings down the stretch; allowing three runs or less in each of his last six trips to the hill.  It’s not like the Padres have enjoyed any offensive outbursts of late; plating only 50 runs in their last 13 games; less than four per outing.  Live dog here!  Take the Cardinals.