Win, win, win seems to be a topic of discussion of late with frustration over its importance.  However, pertaining to sports, it is the pinnacle of measurement of performance ~ whether it be a team and/or individual.  It’s a scale used to judge where improvement is necessary ~ wins vs. losses.  In sports ~ wins are the ladder in what we consider success and the hard work in honoring “the one”  that achieves a championship.  The best of the best.

If there is a “good loss” ~ the Cardinals had one yesterday.  For the standings, no it did not help….but they put their best foot forward and hung with the Nationals even with the excellent pitching of Nationals Stephen Strasburg.  The Cardinals offense did not allow the Nationals to walk all over them ~ as was apparent in the first two games of their series being handed consecutive shutouts.  Strasburg, as has been the hype, was excellent on the mound.  He allowed only two hits over six scoreless innings before being pulled.  Strasburg was short of perfect on the mound, no walks with 9 strike outs.  Cardinals Westbrook held the Nationals scoreless until the fourth inning with one run, and another in the sixth. Jake allowed 9 hits, 2 runs, had 1 walk, and 6 strike outs.  Lucky for the Cardinals that Strasburg was pulled?  Maybe.  It was the RP’s for both teams that gave up important runs ~ and for the Nationals, a bit of a scare.  Nationals RP Burnett game up 2 runs in the 7th to put the Cardinals on the board.  Cardinals RP Lance Lynn followed suit giving up two more runs in the 7th  Nationals RP Matthues gave up one to the Cards in the eighth. Then Cardinals CP Freeman and CP Clippard did their jobs well ~ closed it down….but with the Nationals on top for the win, 4-3.

So how does this equate to a “good loss”?  Nationals Stephen Strasburg gets a “no decision”.  For a starting pitcher that has to be a tough stat with such a great day on the mound.  The Cardinals RP Lance Lynn did get the loss ~ but the Cardinals, in a way, gave one back.

Even though, the Cardinals (72-62) need to get back on the winning side of things to see a happy ending come the end of this month.  They are back home hosting the Mets (64-70) in a three game series beginning this afternoon.

The Cardinals are hanging by a thread for the Wild Card position ~ St. Louis is one-half game ahead of the Dodgers and 1 1/2 in front of Pittsburgh in the race for the second wild card.

“St. Louis will get its first look at New York right-hander Collin McHugh (0-0, 0.00 ERA), who will make his second career start. His debut was outstanding as he struck out nine and yielded two hits over seven scoreless innings Aug. 23 in a 1-0 home loss to Colorado.”

Cardinals Joe Kelly will start today – 4-6/3.61.  Kelly does very well once he gets settled in ~ if he would think … “okay this is the third inning ~ gotta pull it together” from the get-go….he could have a Strasburg day!

The Cardinals  need Beltran to get back into his hitting mode as he “is enduring a 20-game homerless drought.  He is hitting .160 with 23 strikeouts in the 20 games since he went deep Aug. 10 at Philadelphia. He was 5 for 35 with 10 strikeouts on the Cardinals’ 4-6 road trip.”  Catcher Molina is also not 100% since his collision with Nationals Harrison during the first game of that series, still dealing with a stiff upper back and stiffness in his neck.  Not only is Molina a great catcher, but also has been a difference maker at the plate.  Two very strong players for the Cardinals ~ but we can not use a magic wand to get them back on track and/or healthy.  It takes more than one or two players to make a successful team in baseball.  The Cardinals have a lot riding on their shoulders ~ now is the time they will need to come together and decide ~ they truly can as a whole.

Baseball fans ~ enjoy your games.  In the past few days there have been slugfest across the nation. So we know it can be done offensively!  Have a great day ~

Always, Elichap