St. Louis Cardinals' Allen Craig vows to compete in second half of season – MLB News
The St. Louis Cardinals' out-fielder Allen Craig on Wednesday, July 11, attributed team’s apparent slump to the injuries and other seemingly unavoidable issues. He, nonetheless, express his optimism that the team will stage a comeback in the second half of the season.
"We don't like to make excuses, but we've been through a lot," Craig said. "We've been fighting and fighting. I think we're in a good spot. All you can really ask for is to be in a position to strike in the second half of the season."
Cardinals, which remain the defending World Series Champions, were not able to assert themselves in the National League Central, as the rival teams Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds made ascension in the top two positions.
Part of the Cardinals’ inability to stay atop has been injuries. Two big names in this regard, which cannot be overlooked, are that of Chris Carpenter and Lance Berkman. The two mavericks’ absence from the club due to respective injuries has had colossal impact on the team’s performance.
However, the team’s general manager John Mozeliak does not want to see that reason alone as team’s supposedly deteriorating performance. In his view, ultimately, it is the current group that has to perform. If they cannot, as the Cardinals’ GM puts, the team has to look for other consistent players.
"Ultimately," Mozeliak said, "this group has to become more consistent or we'll have to look for others who can become more consistent for us."
However, the Redbirds realise the enormity of the challenge ahead. David Freese, for example, vows not to let the top teams to get any more advantage with the beginning of the second-half of the season starting.
"We don't want to let the lead get any further from the guys up top," All-Star David Freese said.
The Cardinals, it goes without saying, have some of the best players that dominate the lineup. In the days to come, with the start of the second half of the season, the Cardinals – if one were to judge from their avowal, will be a tough rival to compete with.
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