St. Louis Cardinals: Cards desperately need one more from Uncle Charlie

Adam Wainwright’s start on Sunday night has shaped up to be the most important game of the season for the St. Louis Cardinals.  It now seems do or die for the Cards.

Adam, we need one more great performance from you.

The St. Louis Cardinals are in free fall after losing their last four games and the first three games to the Los Angeles Dodgers in this all important weekend series.  Saturday’s 17-4 loss has shown the holes in the Cards starting rotation and the bullpen.

The Cardinals recently held a solid, if not commanding lead over the Dodgers in the Wild Card race.  In fact, as the Cardinals entered September, thoughts of a National Central Championship was not out of question.  However, the Cards are now 5-9 in September after Saturday’s loss, and the NL Central title now seems out of reach.

.The Cards are now 6.5 games behind the Cubs and a game behind the Dodgers for the second Wild Card spot. A series sweep by the Dodgers would be a disaster for the Redbirds as it would put them two games back of that spot.  With series against the Braves, Giants. Brewers, and Cubs, salvaging a win on Sunday is essential to the Cardinals post season hopes.

Uncle Charlie and Sunday night

So now the Cardinals will turn to Adam Wainwright to try to salvage one game against the Dodgers and maybe to save the 2018 season.  I don’t mean to be over dramatic, but I believe Sunday nights’ game is that important.

With Carlos Martinez in the bullpen, Michael Wacha and Alex Reyes on the DL, the Cardinals don’t have a true ace to turn to on Sunday night.  So why not the former ace.

Wainwright from 2006 to 2014, was exactly the pitcher you would want in this spot.  However, ever since his Achilles tendon injury in 2015, he hasn’t been that pitcher.  In the last three years, Wainwright’s ERA has been 4.62, 5.11, and 4.70 respectfully.

Uncle Charlies 2018 season has been disappointing not only to fans,  but also to himself.  He’s been out for most of this season with hamstring and elbow issues.  On May 17, he was transferred to 60-day DL.

On September 10, the 37-year old returned for a start against the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Although tagged for 4 earned runs in a 81 pitch five inning effort, Wainwright only had one bad inning.

Now, the St. Louis Cardinals turn the ball over to Waino on Sunday night. I believe if the Cards can get six strong innings from the veteran, that would be enough to get the  to the strongest part of their bullpen.  If he can get the game to Jordan Hicks and Carlos Martinez, then the Cards would have a good chance of salvaging the last game of this series.

One more, Waino

A victory on Sunday night would put the Cards in a tie with the Dodgers in the Wild Card race.  It would give the Redbirds some momentum going into their series with the NL East leading Atlanta Braves.  In other words, the game on Sunday night is huge for the Cardinals and Adam Wainwright.

A strong performance by Wainwright on Sunday night would be a great swan song for the future Cardinals Hall of Famer.  C’mon Waino, we need you one more time.

Thanks for reading and…Go Cards!