Playoffs or bust: A 2018 St. Louis Cardinals dynasty

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Opening day 2017

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2017 Opening day roster and manager's thoughts:
Starting pitchers
SP1: Carlos Martinez: Showed major improved from 2016 to 2017, should continue climb toward being on the NL's elite pitchers.
SP2: Michael Wacha: With a little more consistency, right-hander can join Martinez among NL's elite and give the Cardinals quite a 1-2 punch.
SP3: Lance Lynn: Spent most of 2017 in the minors after Tommy John surgery in 2016. Had outstanding spring earning a spot in the rotation, can he return to his pre-surgery form?
SP4: Adam Wainwright: After an injury plagued 2016 season Waino rebounded to go 15-7 with a 2.95 ERA in 2017. Got roughed up in the spring, but if he can get back in form he might have one last great season in him,
SP5: Jeremy Hefner: Made his mark down the stretch last season going 5-3 with a 3.13 ERA in nine starts. Pitched well in the spring, earning him a spot in the rotation.


Bullpen
CL: Trevor Rosenthal: 36 saves and just one blown saves in 2017 makes him one of the top closers in the league.
Set-up right: Matt Bowman: Started out as the team's long man, but a sub-2.00 ERA much of the season had him in the set-up role by September.
Set-up left: Kevin Siegrist: Dependable veteran will be back in role he has filled fairly well since 2013.
Middle relief right: Seth Maness: Had a rough 2016, which regulated him to the minors much of 2017. A strong spring has him back in the bigs.
Middle relief right: Jake Odorizzi: At times was outstanding out of the pen in 2017, other times he struggled. This led to him switching roles with Bowman.
Lefty specialist: Logan Boone: Struggled getting left-handers out for much of the season until going into lockdown mode the last two months. That needs to continue.
Long reliever: Tyler Lyons: With the strong performance of the starting five, Lyons didn't face many situations where had to enter in the middle of games. With that, it gave the team a third-lefty in the pen which proved quite valuable.

Catchers
Yadier Molina: This will be Yadi's last go round. He doesn't bring much at the plate anymore, but the pitcher's seem to perfom well when he is behind the dish. He looked ragged in spring training, and I don't want to run him out early, but I will if necessary.
Carson Kelly: The heir apparent had not looked all that good. Don't be surprised if the team makes a run at a front-line catcher at some point during the season.

Infielders
1B: Mitch Moreland: Brought in as a free agent from the Texas Rangers, Moreland was a massive disappointment from an offensive standpoint. Look for Stephen Piscotty to get some starts at first with Moreland possibly becoming nothing more than a pinch-hitter/defensive replacement.
2B: Dee Gordon: One of two key off-season acquisitions, Gordon was brought in to bring some speed to the top of a mostly plodding lineup. If he's successful, it should be a big boost to what has been a morbid offense.
SS: Yadiel Rivera: He made some errors, but his improved range over his predecessors was much needed. Hit pretty well for a first-time, full-time player, I like what I've seen from him.
3B: Matt Carpenter: A major disappointment in 2017. He missed 50-plus games early on and batted well-below .200 until a September surge brought him to .230. Still seems stuck on only being able to hit leadoff. With Gordon around, that's not going to happen. If he cannot adjust to hitting third or lower, a change may have to be made.
Utility: Greg Garcia: Nothing special other than an ability to play decent defense and shortstop, third base and second base.
Utility: Jed Gyorko: Like Garcia, he can play second, short and third but not as well defensively. Will hit for some pop but any kind of batting average over .230 from him would be a surprise.


Outfielders
RF: Stephen Piscotty: Missed chunks of the season with injuries and when he didn't play, his offense was not what was expected. But still has all kinds of potential and is a top-flight defensive outfielder. He may also play some first base, getting Moreland out of the lineup.
CF: A.J. Pollack: Acquired in a trade with Arizona just after the end of spring training games. He brings some much needed defense to center field -- Randal Grichuk was dealt in the Gordon trade and Charlie Blackmon's defensive skill level has dropped in recent seasons -- and a bat which should hit over .300 with an OBP near .350. Will bat behind Gordon, giving the offense a couple of speedsters in front of the middle of the order bats.

LF: Charlie Blackmon: Probably the team's most consistent bat a year ago. With four solid outfielders -- Preston Tucker will be talked about -- it will be a scramble to find all of them playing time. (I.E., see Piscotty playing some first base. Defensive skills have declined makign it best he become a corner outfielder.
LF: Preston Tucker: A highly regarded youngster acquired in a trade with Houston just before the All-Star break last season. Although, he hit just .260 with his time with the Cardinals. He hit .292 for the season with 27 homers and 92 RBIs. He could be a real force in the lineup.
OF: Evan Gattis: Didn't do real well in his role of pop off the bench pinch-hitter, which he will be asked to do again. Also will see some time at first base.


Minor leaguers to watch
Utility: Jacob Wilson: Primarily a second and third baseman, Wilson played fairly well in a couple of callups in 2017. The longer he was up, it seemed the better he played.
SP: Jose Fernandez: The overall No. 1 ranked player in all of the minor leagues, Ferandez will start the season at Triple-A Memphis. With some success, he could be called up to the big leagues after the All-Star break if there is an opening.
OF: Matt Geilalich: Has performed very well all through the minors. A couple of injuries, leading to a full-time role, could give him a shot at the bigs later in the year.

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April 8, 2018: San Francisco Giants at St. Louis Cardinals
At Busch Stadium, St. Louis. Game time: 3:15 p.m.
Weather: 54 degrees. Wind blowing in from right field at 9 mph.
Starting lineups
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Manager: Buck Showalter
2016 record: 81-81 (2nd in NL West, 25 GB Los Angeles Dodgers.
CF: Melvin Upton .237 BA/18 HR/47 RBIs
SS: Christian Arroyo .308/7/55
RF: David Peralta .286/15/87
C: Buster Posey .320/17/78
SS: Brandon Crawford .263/9 HR/48
2B: Joe Panik .275/3/66
3B: Jed Lowrie .241/12/58
LF: Denard Span .238/5/49
P: Madison Bumgarner 15-11, 3.37 ERA

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Manager: Mike Renkes
2017 record: 80-82 (3rd in NL Central, 8 GB Chicago Cubs)
2B: Dee Gordon .291/1 HR/34 RBIs
CF: A.J. Pollack .329/11/41
LF: Charlie Blackmon .276/17/72
RF: Stephen Piscotty .256/13/48
3B: Matt Carpenter .232/6/28
SS: Yadiel Rivera .264/8/49
1B: Mitch Moreland .236/11/44
C: Yadier Molina .237/3/26
P: Carlos Martinez 15-14, 2.98

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Game 1: Cardinals 5, Giants 2, at Busch Stadium, St. Louis
Rec/Std/GB: 1-0, 1st (tied w/Cubs), 1 GA Milwaukee, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh
Key moments: Tied 1-1 the Cardinals took the lead for good in the top of the fourth inning against Giants ace Madison Bumgarner. Charlie Blackmon, Stephen Piscotty and Matt Carpenter led off the inning with consecutive singles. Blackmon, however, was thrown out at the plate on Carpenter's single. Evan Gattis followed with a double, scoring Piscotty and Carpenter. St. Louis added two more runs in the sixth, Yadier Molina and pitcher Carlos Martinez with run-scoring singles.
Player of the game: Martinez pitched seven innings, allowing one run on four hits. He struck out six and walked none.
Notes: Boone Logan and Jake Odorizzi combined to pitch a scoreless eighth inning. In the ninth, however, Seth Maness allowed San Francisco to load the bases and score a pair of runs before Kevin Siegrist came on to finish it off and earn a save. ... Matt Carpenter was 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored. ... Gattis was 1 for 4 with a double and two RBIs. ... Bumgarner pitched 5.1 innings, giving up four runs on eight hits. He struck out two and walked the same.

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Game 2: Cardinals 7, Giants 2, at Busch Stadium
Rec/Std/GB: 2-0, 1st (tied w/Cubs), 1 GA Pittsburgh
Key moments: With the bases loaded, Yadiel Rivera cleared the bags with a two-out triple off Giants' pitcher Jeff Samardzija in the bottom of the first inning staking the Cardinals to a 3-0 lead. St. Louis added three more runs in the fourth inning, extending its lead to 6-0. Pitcher Michael Wacha drove in the first run when he drew a bases-loaded walk from Samardzija. Dee Gordon plated the other two with a double off reliever Steven Okert.
Player of the game: Wacha pitched seven innings, allowing two runs on six hits. He struck out five and walked two. At the plate, he was 0 for 1 with an RBI from his bases-loaded walk.
Notes: Reliever Tyler Lyons finished the game off for the Cardinals with a pair of scoreless innings. ... Gordon was 3 for 5 with three RBIs. ... Rivera was 2 for 3 with a triple, a run scored and three RBIs. ... Matt Carpenter was 2 for 3 with a double and scored twice. ... Yadier Molina was 0 for 2 but walked twice and scored two runs. ... Samardzija lasted just 3.1 innings, allowing six runs on five hits. He struck out two and walked three. ... Melvin Upton Jr. was 1 for 4 with two RBIs for the Giants.

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April 9: Team power rankings

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Game 3: Cardinals 5, Giants 4, at Busch Stadium, St. Louis
Rec/Std/GB: 3-0, 1st (tied w/Cubs), 2 GA Pittsburgh and Cincinnati
Key moments: Down 3-0, the Cardinals stormed back with five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, the bulk of the damage coming on a grand slam by Charlie Blackmon off Giants reliever Kevin Quackenbush. Pinch-hitter Jedd Gyoroko drove in the inning's first run with a double off reliever Pedro Strop.
Player of the game: Blackmon was 1 for 4 with a grand slam and the four RBIs that came with it.
Notes: Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn pitched 6.1 innings, allowing three runs on six hits. He struck out one and walked three. ... Jake Odorizzi got the second out of the seventh inning while Kevin Siegrist finished it and tossed a scoreless eighth. Cardinals closer Trevor Rosenthal allowed a home run to pinch-hitter Hunter Pence, but still came out of it with his first save. ... San Francisco starting pitcher Takaihiro Norimoto went just 2.1 innings before departing with an injury. He allowed no runs on two hits.

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Preview of series with Rockies

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Game 4: Rockies 6, Cardinals 3, at Coors Field, Denver
Rec/Std/GB: 3-1, 2nd, 1 GB Cubs
Key moments: Nolan Arenada hit a two-run homer and Ramiel Tapia followed with a solo shot off Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright in the bottom of the first inning, giving Colorado a quick 3-0 lead. It added another in the second when D.J. LeMahieu doubled, moved to third on an error by second baseman Dee Gordon and scored on a Mallex Smith fielder's choice.
Player of the game: Colorado starting pitcher Jon Gray pitched six innings, giving up two runs on five hits. He struck out one and walked three.
Notes: Three relievers followed Gray to the mound, pitching an inning apiece. Miguel Castro handled the ninth for his second save. ... Colorado's David Dahl was 2 for 5 with two doubles and two runs scored. ... Tapia was 1 for 4 with a homer and two RBIs. ... Wainwright pitched four innings, giving up six runs on nine hits. He struck out two and walked two.

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Game 5: Rockies 7, Cardinals 5, at Coors Field, Denver
Rec/Std/GB: 3-2, 2nd, 2 GB Cubs
Key moments: Down 5-4, the Rockies tied it in the bottom of the seventh inning, when Tony Wolters led off with a double off Cardinals starting pitcher Jeremy Hefner and scored on a double by David Dahl off Kevin Siegrist. Colorado won it with two in the eighth. Jordan Patterson and Dustin Ackley opened the inning with singles off Cardinals reliever Matt Bowman. A passed ball moved the runners to second and third. They both scored on a double by Mallex Smith.
Player of the game: Smith was 3 for 4 with a double, two runs scored and a pair of RBIs.
Notes: Dahl was 2 for 5 with two doubles and three RBIs. ... Nolan Arenado was 2 for 3 with a double and two RBIs. ... Wolters was 3 for 4 with a double and three runs scored. ... Rockies starting pitcher Joe Kelly pitched 6.1 innings, allowing five runs on 11 hits. He struck out three and walked four. ... Three relievers combined to finish the game off with Miguel Castro handling a scoreless ninth for his fourth save. ... The Cardinals' Yadiel Rivera was 3 for 4 with a double, a home run and two RBIs. ... A.J. Pollack was 3 for 5 with two runs scored. ... Hefner pitched six innings, giving up five runs on nine hits. He struck out four and walked three.

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Game 6: Rockies 4, Cardinals 3, at Coors Field, Denver
Rec/Std/GB: 3-3, 2nd (tied w/Cincinnati, Pittsburgh), 2 GB Cubs
Key moments: Down 3-1, the Rockies tied the game in the sixth inning when David Dahl had an RBI double off Cardinals starting pitcher Carlos Martinez and Ramiel Tapia plated one with a single. Colorado won it in the ninth. Tapia and Barrett Barnes drew walks from Kevin Siegrist to open the inning. Tapia scored on a one-out single by D.J. LaMahieu off Seth Maness.
Player of the game: Martinez pitched seven innings, allowing three runs on four hits. He struck out four and walked three.
Notes: Rockies starting pitcher Tim Cooney pitched six innings, giving up three runs on seven hits. He struck out two and walked three. ... Sam Moll, Logan Ondrusek and Harrison Musgrave all pitched a scoreless innings apiece to close it out. Musgrave earning the win. ...

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April 14: Standings and leaders

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Preview of series with Reds

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Game 7: Cardinals 4, Reds 0, at Busch Stadium, St. Louis
Rec/Std/GB: 4-3, 2nd, 2 GB Cubs
Key moments: St. Louis jumped out in front 2-0 in the bottom of the first inning against Red starting pitcher Raisel Iglesias. Dee Gordon led off with a single and scored when A.J. Pollack followed with a double. A Charlie Blackmon single moved Pollack third. Stephen Piscotty then contributed the Cards' fourth straight hit to start the inning, another single, plating Pollack. Pitcher Michael Wacha drove in the Cardinals third run in the bottom of the fourth, drawing a bases-loaded walk from Iglesias. A solo homer from Blackmon in the seventh off reliever Marc Rzcepczynski made it 4-0.
Player of the game: Wacha pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing just four hits. He struck out nine and walked none.
Notes: Jake Odorizzi handled both the eighth inning and the first two outs of the ninth, before giving way to Tyler Lyons who retired the only hitter he faced. ... Iglesias pitched five innings, allowing three runs on five hits. He struck out five and walked four. ... Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter left the game with a shoulder injury. He is expected to miss up to six weeks. ... Shortstop Yadiel Rivera exited with a hyperextended ankle. He will probably miss just a few games.

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Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter has been placed on the disabled list with a shoulder injury sustained in a 4-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds on April 14. He is expected to miss up to six weeks.
It is the second consecutive season Carpenter has been out for an extended period early in the season because of an injury.
In 2017, Carpenter suffered an ankle injury in the second game of the season and did not return until late May.
Utility infielder Jacob Wilson will be brought up from Triple-A Memphis. He can play both second and third base.
Look for Jedd Gyorko to get the majority of the starts at third during Carpenter's absence.

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Game 8: Reds 4, Cardinals 3
Rec/Std/GB: 4-4, 2nd (tied w/Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, 2 GB Cubs
Key moments: Down 3-1, Cincinnati tied it with two runs in the top of the eighth inning and won it with another one in the ninth. In the eighth, Billy Hamilton led off with a double of Cardinals reliever Seth Maness. He scored when Hideto Asamura followed with a two-run homer. In the ninth, Boone Logan issued a lead-off walk to Logan Morrison. A Cavan Biggio sacrifice bunt moved him to second. A walk to Alex Jackson then put runners at first and second. Matt Bowman then entered the game and struck out Devin Mesaraco for the second out. But he followed it with walks to Hamilton to load the bases. Another walk, this one to Asamura, scored Morrison with the winning run.
Player of the game: Reds starting pitcher Brandon Finnegan went seven innings, allowing three runs on four hits. He struck out seven and walked none.
Notes: Four relievers combined to pitch the final two innings for the Reds. Hunter Strickland handled all of the ninth, retiring the Cardinals in order for his first save. ... Asamura was 1 for 4 with a homer and three RBIs. ... Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn lasted 6.2 innings, giving up one run on four hits. He struck out five and walked two. ... A.J. Pollack was 1 for 4 with a homer and two RBIs. ...

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Cardinals' Gordon win NL Player of the Week honor

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MLB power rankings for April 16

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Game 9: Cardinals 11, Reds 7, at Busch Stadium, St. Louis
Rec/Std/GB:5-4, 2nd (tied w/Pittsburgh), 1 GB Cubs
Key moments: Down 6-5, the Cardinals tied it in the bottom of the fourth inning on a pinch-hit single from Jacob Wilson off Reds reliever Sal Romano, scoring Mitch Moreland who had led off the inning with a double. St. Louis took the lead in the fifth inning, when Charlie Blackmon led off with a double off Romano and scored on a Mitch Moreland double off reliever Rookie Davis. The Cardinals added two insurance runs in the sixth, Greg Garcia and Stephen Piscotty led off the inning with single off Davis. Dee Gordon then laid down a squeeze bunt to score Garcia. Jedd Gyorko later scored Piscotty with a two-out single.
Player of the game: Blackmon was 3 for 4 with a double, a home run, four runs scored and three RBIs.
Notes: The Cardinals' Preston Tucker was 2 for 5 with a home run and three RBIs. ... Gyorko was 1 for 5 with two RBIs. ... Gordon was 1 for 4 with two runs scored and an RBI. ... Pollack was 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored. ... St. Louis starting pitcher Adam Wainwright lasted just four innings, giving up six runs on 12 hits. He struck out four and walked two. .... Three relievers combined to finish the game off -- Tyler Lyons handled fifth inning and got the first out of the sixth. Jake Odorizzi finished off the sixth and kept the Reds scoreless in the seventh. Kevin Siegrist took care of the final two innings -- giving up a run in the eighth -- to finish it off. ... Reds starting pitcher Matt Magill went just 2.1 innings, giving up five runs on five hits. He struck out four and walked none. ... Cincinnati's Joey Votto was 2 for 2 with a double, a run scored and two RBIs. ... Billy Hamilton was 3 for 6 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI. ... Eugenio Suarez was 4 for 5 with a homer, two runs scored and an RBI.

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Preview of series with Braves