For The First Time We Can Say Something Definitive About The Cardinals

The 2014 season is 161 games old.

And just like on March 31st, the season is far from over.

Maybe we should have known? That day the Cardinals beat the Reds 1-0. After an off-day, they turned around and lost a 1-0 game to the same team. It’s been weird ever since. When the fans are up, the team goes down. When the fans are down, the team restores the faith.

There could be 3 games left in the season. There could be 22. Or any combination in between.

Sure, it’d be a little bit cathartic to bitch about a 5-2 loss to the worst team in baseball when (you’d assume) the boys were motivated to capture a NL Central title. But at the end of the day, this was their destiny. One final craps roll in a season spent hedged on the come and don’t come lines.

Finally, though, we’re able to say something about definitive about the Cardinals season come tomorrow around 6:30 local time. A path will be set. The playoff picture will be cleared up. You know, unless there’s a play-off before the playoffs.

(Side: there definitely is going to be a play-off before the playoffs.)

Here’s what you need to know:

CARDS at DIAMONDBACKS

• 3:10p CT start
• Adam Wainwright (RHP | 20-9 | 2.38 ERA) vs Josh Collmenter (RHP | 11-8 | 3.57 ERA)
• Cardinals win? NL Central Champs
• Cardinals lose? NL Central Champs w/Pirates loss or 1 game playoff in Busch Stadium w/Pirates win
• Storylines? Wainwright getting spent instead of possible NLDS matchup with Clayton Kershaw

PIRATES at REDS

• 12:10 CT start
• Gerrit Cole (RHP | 11-5 | 3.78) vs Johnny Cueto (RHP | 19-9 | 2.29 ERA)
• Pirates win? Cardinals need to win for NL Central Champs or Cardinals lose and 1 game playoff
• Pirates lose? Cardinals NL Central Champs
• Storylines? Cueto goes for 20th win and possible 2nd place in NL Cy Young

The Cardinals will (probably) know what they need to do before the first pitch of their game in AZ. Wainwright will get the start no matter what, so they will not pull him back to face Clayton Kershaw in Game 1 of the NLDS if the Pirates lose.

If a playoff game is needed, it will be played on MON SEPT 29th in Busch Stadium. The winner of that game would play the Dodgers in the NLDS.

So now you’re set.

Get ready for a crazy day of sports.

Photo: The Stranger