Aledmys Diaz Led the Charge Last Night in Huge Win, but the Birds Need Another One Tonight
Last night was a special night for the St. Louis Cardinals, for many reasons. Aledmys Diaz launched a majestic grand slam into the St. Louis night, just two days after his childhood friend, Jose Fernandez, was killed in a boating accident, the rest of the offense appeared to get things going too, adding on four more home runs, and Adam Wainwright looked good through 5 2/3 innings, until he gave up a two run home run, in the sixth. All in all, the team came through in a must win situation, but they face another one tonight.
The Redbirds take the field tonight behind former Red, Mike Leake. Leake has struggled this season, but in the start before his last, he looked like the $80 million pitcher that the Cardinals thought he would be. That game was a similar situation to tonight, they were on the road, in San Francisco, facing the possibility of being out of the postseason race. In that start, Leake, against another of his former teams, came through, going six innings and only giving up two runs. The Cardinals would go on to win that game, by scoring two, in the ninth, saving their season at the time.
The Cards need another strong outing tonight, as they are facing Anthony DeSclafani, who has had a lot of success against them this season. Because the Giants won last night, the Cardinals are still a full game behind them for the second wild card spot. The Mets also won, leaving the Birds a game and a half behind them, for the top spot. Both those teams are favorites tonight as well. The Giants take on the Rockies behind Jeff Samardzjia. The Rockies look to Tyler Chatwood, who has posted a 4.08 ERA this season. That coupled with Colorado’s inability to win on the road this season, plays into the Giants favor. As for the Mets, Seth Lugo (4-2, 2.61 ERA) will take on Jose Urena (4-8, 5.95 ERA) and the Miami Marlins. Urena has struggled this season, but, he did have success against the Mets earlier this month, allowing only one run over six innings.
That said, the Cardinals definitely need to win again tonight. Every remaining game for them is of equal importance. Even if they do not catch the Giants before the weekend, they need to be at least where they are, within striking distance. The Giants finish their season against the Dodgers, who are a far better team than the Giants, and may be the only time form here out, that we can expect them to get beat. Hopefully though, the Cards keep things rolling, by winning tonight, and the Rockies go into San Francisco, and help St. Louis even up the race.
