When the Cardinals take the field around 2:15 tomorrow afternoon, they’ll do so knowing that they can’t lose. After 161 games played, it’s all come down to this – win or the season is over.
Technically, that’s not true.
The Giants also have to lose against the Dodgers. If they don’t, then the Cardinals season is over no matter what.
BUT STILL… the Cardinals have to win.
+++++
I don’t know about you, but these last 3 games have made me a little more wistful than I anticipated.
For the past 5 seasons, the Cardinals have made the playoffs. And one of the defining characteristics of every Birds team from 2011 through 2015 is that they were going to do all the little things right to pull out wins.
They might not have been the best team in every game or series, but they were going to figure out a way to post a W. And, truthfully, the image of Kolten Wong – stranded on third for all three outs – Wednesday night? I kind of thought ‘yup, that’s what this team is about’.
Close. No cigars
But these past three games, though? It was there. The will to win was definitely there.
Matt Holliday's first 1,770 games: 0 pinch-hit RBI.
Matt Holliday's last 2 games: 2 pinch-hit RBI. https://t.co/AoZgQvJm5s— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) October 2, 2016
We got the team that we thought was gone these past three games. I like this team. I don’t want to quit watching this team. They didn’t have any business winning a game where the starter pitched 1 inning. They’re back!!!
And now it might be too late.
+++++
There’s no telling what will happen tomorrow. If you’re reading this, chances are I know what you want to happen.
But who knows.
Let’s just hope that the team who’s showed up to the ballpark the past three games is the one that carries over into 2017.
Photo: All STLCards
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