St. Louis Cardinals: Roller coasters need speed

For some people roller coasters are a lot of fun, but riding the coaster of St. Louis Cardinals baseball can be full of many twists and turns, plunges and blind spots. The 2016 season defines the true meaning of baseball roller coasters for St. Louis Cardinals fans and fills us with a ton of emotions.

For many of us who call ourselves Cardinals Nation, we begin with anticipation for what is to come, as Spring Training provides us with just enough of a tease to see what hopefully lies ahead. We see the coaster from the parking lot and the adrenaline starts to flow. St. Louis Cardinals baseball is just around the corner.

Then comes waiting in line for our turn on the beast on wheels. Most of us start to question our sanity at this point and fear creeps in like a ferocious monster. What if the St. Louis Cardinals stumble right out of the gate? What if we find ourselves, brace yourself, behind the Chicago Cubs?

Yet the slow and steady climb to the peak leaves us breathless and confused to whether we should be scared or excited as we plunge below. There was the “P” word Cardinals Nation! In 2016, the plunge hasn’t been overwhelming, but the look up to the Chicago Cubs sitting atop the division makes it look incredibly daunting.

The coaster then twists and turns, flips you over and back and leaves you pulling into the station exhausted from the thrill of a ride. St. Louis Cardinals baseball could not be better described, especially this season.

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There have been ups and downs and a never-ending attempt to get 10 games over the 500 mark. These include home run records and rookie sensations like Aledmys Diaz, Alex Reyes and Luke Weaver. In addition, the 2016 campaign has witnessed success from unexpected players like Jedd Gyorko and Greg Garcia.

As we wind down the final month of games, however, we find ourselves still riding along on the roller coaster known as the Wild Card. Which two teams will emerge? Can anyone predict the ending of this ride?

The fact of the matter is simple: roller coasters require the plunges in order to help them build up enough speed to provide the thrills and chills before the ride is over. St. Louis Cardinals baseball rides alongside the same parallel.

Next: Time to Play Like Spoilers

The plunge has to come to an end, and soon, so now the speed and momentum can carry Cardinals Nation into a fearful, exciting adrenaline rush of an October.