Are Cardinals bats ready to break out?

Rather than do a strict recap of Friday night’s game, I thought I’d offer my two cents on what I’ve seen lately in the St. Louis Cardinals offense.

No doubt about it, Friday’s 12-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies was a much-needed victory in Cardinal circles.

There was some doubt creeping into the St. Louis fan base. With punishing injuries to Matt Adams and Adam Wainwright, not to mention lesser injuries to players like Lance Lynn and Matt Holliday, there were some holes starting to form.

More from Redbird Rants

• Cardinals Rumors: 3 pros and cons of signing Carlos Rodon
• What’s next for the St. Louis Cardinals after Contreras signing?
• Report: Cardinals Emerge As Mystery Team for Carlos Rodon
• Cardinals: Trade targets after signing Willson Contreras
• Reflecting on the 2013 Cardinals’ top 30 prospects

Over the past 12 games, the Cardinals hadn’t scored more than four runs. It’s clear the bats needed a breakout game.

I only say Holliday’s injury is a lesser one because the Cardinals will get him back, likely around the All-Star break. That will be a boost in itself.

Keep in mind some of these stats are inflated for two reasons. The Cardinals played the Phillies, a team clearly in rebuilding mode, and regular starter Cole Hamels was scratched in favor of Philippe Aumont due to Hamels’ hamstring injury.

There’s no denying Kolten Wong makes a decent leadoff hitter, however.

The lineup of Wong, Matt Carpenter and Jhonny Peralta can do a lot of damage up top. And the Cardinals are benefiting from a healthier Yadier Molina, who has hit two home runs in the past week after not homering for over a year. Is he finally finding some footing?

In order for the Cardinals to be a team to watch come October, it will need more offense than it has gotten as of late. I look for them to be active on the trade market, both in terms of bats and pitching. But for now, seeing Randal Grichuk homer and finding out Jason Heyward has a .263 batting average are signs of encouragement.

Let’s not get too excited yet. The Cardinals travel to Miami for a tough early-week test with the Marlins. After that, three more games with the Chicago Cubs are on tap, these games back in Busch Stadium.

If Friday is any indication, the Cardinals will be fine. If it was an aberration, then the same worries will creep to the surface.