A couple months back I posted about the Cardinals chances for success this season
In this post right here.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/120611999
The high points were basically if Arenado, Mikolas and Grey have bounce back years, Lars stays healthy and some young players step up the Redbirds can contend... My ceiling for the season was actually an NLCS appearance.
I wasn't optimistic it was going to happen, just pointing out that it could happen.
Well so far so good.
After a poor showing in April the young Cardinals are playing inspired defense, hitting at a top 10 rate and in Matt Liberatore have the best young lefty starter in the NL.
Plus Mikolas and Grey are pitching well, even better than I'd hoped TBH.
Unfortunately, they've each had ERA killing blowout losses this season making their stats look kinda shitty.
Brendan Donovan looks like an MVP candidate, Vic Scott II already looks like a Gold Glove center with a better than average bat and premium speed on the base paths and if Nolan Arenado is not hitting at MVP candidate levels, he is hitting better than last year and is still a Gold Glove level 3rd baseman.
That ain't nothing, neither was his volunteering to move down the lineup to get hotter youngsters up where they can do more damage.
That type of veteran leadership still matters - Especially on a team where close to half the position players aren't even arbitration eligible.
So, an epic collapse is still very very possible, but I have hope that it is unlikely. I have a growing hope that what we've been watching for the last 3 week is closer to what this team actually is than what we saw in the first 3 weeks.
Let's Go Cards!