St. Louis Cardinals: Successful Sweeps of 2016

Jun 26, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Matt Carpenter (13) after being splashed with a cup of water for hitting a home run during the ninth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. The Cardinals won 11-6. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Matt Carpenter (13) after being splashed with a cup of water for hitting a home run during the ninth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. The Cardinals won 11-6. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 6, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Matt Carpenter (13) holds his side after a swing during the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Busch Stadium. Carpenter left the game with a right oblique injury. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

September 5-7, 2016/August 29-31, 2016/July 8-10, 2016…

The St. Louis Cardinals failed to close out a three-game sweep of the ailing Pittsburgh Pirates last night.  It would have been nice to have done this and stayed a game ahead of the Mets.  This was discussed in the introduction to this slideshow.  With tonight’s loss, the failed sweep looms even larger.

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Thinking along these lines then, we need to admit that every lost opportunity is slowly coming around to hurt this year’s team.  By my calculations, this season’s St. Louis Cardinals (including last night’s failed sweep) have now lost thirteen would-be sweeps.  The unlucky thirteen.

Speaking of thirteen, had the St. Louis Cardinals won these thirteen lost would-be sweeps the gap between them and the Cubs would be down to at-worst three games and possibly closer.  That is dreaming of course but can’t we do that at this time of year?

Let’s turn our attention forward for a bit.  The 2016 St. Louis Cardinals face the Brewers (no way to close a sweep in this series with tonight’s loss), Cubs, Giants, Rockies, Cubs, Reds, and Pirates.  The Cubs will be difficult to sweep at this time of year but the Cardinals have swept them this season already.  The Cards get to face the Giants and Rockies on the road which might bode well for a sweep.

Next: Home Runs Down Pirates

Let us hope that the magic of the road can hand at least another sweep as this season’s St. Louis Cardinals appear to need a little help to keep their wild card spot and make it into post season play.  Stay with us on Twitter and let us know your thoughts as the season dwindles down.