2012 MLB: Majestic victory greets the Cardinals in the Wild Card game – Part 2
As the St. Louis Cardinals lost their ace, Chris Carpenter, due to thoracic outlet syndrome, the club had to advance steadily, grappling with a host of challenges that were to come their way. So the first half of the season, as the club might have anticipated, was not as good.
Nonetheless, finishing 90-72 in the 2011 Major League Baseball season and securing a Wild Card berth, had a lot of positives for the Cardinals, with giving up among the imponderables for the National League Central team.
Not dissimilar, then, was the advance: Meticulous, agile, efficient and effectual. The Cardinals finished the regular season with 88-74 record with .543. The past year, it was .556. That might have sounded like a great drop. Not, probably.
The Cardinals had once again booked a place in the Wild Card, following the Cincinnati Reds which remained atop the National League Central, the way they were preceded by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2011. Their batting average was one of the best in the MLB (29.2).
As the Wild Card game neared, there was a sense of excitement in the air. After all, the Cardinals, defending the World Series championship, once again had the opportunity for their 25th trip to the post-season.
That distinct magical touch witnessed last year in the Wild Card game was put on display this year as well. Facing the Atlanta Braves, the Cardinals once again asserted themselves both offensively and defensively to prevail over the rivals.
In a game that had its own drama, wherein the Braves protested – the Cardinals just remained undeterred. It was Matt Holliday who homered and the Braves three throwing errors that eventually helped the Cardinals win the anticipated game 6-3.
The performance in the Wild Card playoff, crucial as it was, once again ensured the Cardinals place in the post-season game. Heartbreaking loss, on the other hand, was the Braves’ fate – so it seemed as the Cardinals braced themselves to face the Washington Nationals in the National League Division Series.
In a year when an accomplished slugger Albert Pujols – previously associated with the Cardinals, was no longer there with the club, the Cardinals had an unusually strong show when it came to facing the rivals in the league.
Add to it the absence of Cardinals’ starter Chris Carpenter. With the win in the Wild Card game, all seemed going their way. It pretty much went to their way in the National League Division Series when the Cardinals entered the best-of-five game series.
With an electric atmosphere, anticipation and excitement permeating the air, the Cardinals were to make most of the gains they had been making throughout the regular season.
They did make gains and won the NLDS. But with the thrill that characterises the post-season games.
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