I had a few moments between kiddo naps and rest times that I wanted to take a quick look at the St. Louis Cardinals’ schedule ahead. They’re coming out of a very weak stretch in the schedule – that, to their credit, they dominated – and they’ve got a 2.5-game lead in the Central to show for it.
But after they wrap up this weekend with the Pirates, this is how things sort out the rest of the way:
They go to Colorado for three, where the Rockies – despite being terrible overall – have been just about a .500 team. Meanwhile, the Cardinals have been three games under .500 on the road this year.
Then the Cardinals come home to host the Brewers, who will still be fighting for their life at that point.
Then the Cardinals host the Nationals for three – that’s a very good team also fighting to hold onto their playoff position.
Then the Cardinals come to Chicago for four. Take the Cubs focus out of it for a second, and instead just note it from the Cardinals perspective: they have to face a playoff-hungry team on the road, where that team is one of the best home teams in baseball.
Then the Cardinals have to fly out west to play three in Arizona, where the Diamondbacks might be one of the few hottest teams in baseball.
Then, to finish the year, they get the Cubs again, but this time at home.
Looking at it, you could argue every single series the rest of the way for the Cardinals is a tough one. That’s not to say the Cardinals won’t continue to cruise, but it’s certainly a much tougher stretch than they’ve had over the past month.
Something to keep in mind.