5 standout performers from St. Louis Cardinals first half

Adam Wainwright

Wainwright is the big brother of the pitching staff. Let’s be honest. He’s the big brother of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Since he gained his legendary status during the postseason run of 2006, Wainwright has been a beloved St. Louis Cardinal. Each season since, fans have wanted nothing but good things for Wainwright.

In 18 games started, he is 6-7 with 111 innings pitched and one complete game. He has 89 strikeouts and a 28.2% called/swinging strike rate. Not bad for a guy over 40.

When he’s not on the mound, you can see Wainwright talking to other members of the rotation from Miles Mikolas, Matthew Liberatore, Jack Flaherty, Dakota Hudson to his long time friend and catcher Yadier Molina.

It will be fun to see Molina return from the injured list as he and Wainwright have a record they need to break. The pair stand at 316 games started as a battery. They are tied for second place on the all time list with Warren Spahn and Del Crandell. Their next target is 324 games set by Mickey Lolich and Bill Freehan.

Wainwright and Molina will have to start eight games together. The sooner Molina can return from the injured list the better the likelihood this record is broken.

Wainwright is a Cardinals legend. Everything he does now is just adding to the legend. It will be fun to see what the final weeks bring for him and how much longer he will go after 2022.