St. Louis Cardinals: The Brewers are just about done

With the most recent series about finished, the St. Louis Cardinals are on the brink of crushing the Milwaukee Brewers. What do their chances look like?

This is exactly the type of article that appears on “Old Takes Exposed” or the type that motivates teams when others count them out. Forgive me, but I am going to count out the Milwaukee Brewers after this series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

This article has a bit of a bigger bite to it if the Cardinals end up sweeping the Brewers today, but the point holds true either way in my opinion. If the Cardinals sweep Milwaukee today, they will be 7.5 games out of the NL Central division lead and at least 3.5 games out of the Wild Card standings.

There is still about a month left in the season, the Brewers look lifeless and dead on the field and still have series against the Cardinals again, the Astros, the Cubs and more. Between the Cubs, Cardinals, and the Brewers, the Brewers have the toughest schedule ahead.

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Currently, they have the third-worst starting rotation in the NL by WAR with a middle of the pack bullpen. On the offensive side of the ball, they do have the sixth-best wRC+, but don’t rank near the top in any offensive category except homers. The offensive numbers are boosted by the NL MVP candidate Christian Yelich and behind him, their lineup has looked thin at best.

With a tough schedule left and looking at a possible 7.5 game hurdle to the NL Central, it’s at least fair to argue that their hopes for the division are squashed if the Cardinals sweep today. A Wild Card Berth (and division win) are still plenty possible, but with how flat they have looked along with the strength of schedule, it’s not looking like a great time to be a Brewers fan right now.

Either way, the Cardinals need to step on the throat and knock them out today and in two weeks when they play again. The Cardinals have a big say in how the division finishes and a two-team race with the Cardinals and the Cubs is much more attractive than continuing to let the Brewers have hope for any playoff push.