St. Louis Cardinals: Academy Awards

Sep 30, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals players pose for a photo after defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates to clinch the National League Central Division Championship at PNC Park. The Cardinals won 11-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals players pose for a photo after defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates to clinch the National League Central Division Championship at PNC Park. The Cardinals won 11-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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May 21, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jaime Garcia (54) pitches against the New York Mets during the third inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 21, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jaime Garcia (54) pitches against the New York Mets during the third inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Award for Best Picture OR Award for Best Pitcher

I’m sure there were readers offended when no pitchers were listed in the previous slide as eligible for MVP awards.  Please take a deep breath; I do feel that the 2016 pitching staff has many eligible candidates for MVP status in 2016 but I held them out for this category.

The 2016 nominees are…

Adam Wainwright- RHP

Carlos Martinez- RHP

Mike Leake– RHP

and

Jamie Garcia– LHP

Wow, what a list, right?  Every opposing team should take immediate pause when thinking of facing any of these listed here.  Having said that, Wainwright and Martinez and Garcia each must wrestle their demons with injury.  Should the avoid the disabled list then any of these three could post MVP numbers.

This isn’t meant to discount Leake who has been a faithful pitcher and who will immediately take the place of the absent John Lackey.  Many writers have already noted that Leake is almost exactly the work horse pitcher that is Lackey just in a much younger body.  Yet again, another great pick up by Mozeliak.

In looking at these names, I feel that 2016 will be a continuation of the amazing pitching performance that was witnessed by Jaime Garcia in 2015 with one massive change: I feel that the 2016 squad will provide him run support that he failed to receive in 2015.  This said, Jaime is the winner of best pitcher in 2016.

Next: Summation

Schedule