Cardinals Outlook For The Stretch Run

Sep 8, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Matt Holliday (7) hits a RBI single in the fifth inning during a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports

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The St. Louis Cardinals swept the Pittsburgh Pirates over the weekend. Now, the Cardinals have a 1.5 game lead in the NL Central. For the final 19 games, the Cardinals will not play a playoff bound team. So what can the Cardinals do to avoid a letdown?

Focus on winning the series. 

The one thing I don’t like about Mike Matheny’s philosophy is the winning every day instead of focus on winning the series. That’s the philosophy Tony LaRussa had and I think it’s the perfect philosophy the Cardinals need to take for the next 19 games. Win 4 out 6 of the games at home against the Mariners and Brewers. Then win 4 out of 7 on the road trips to Denver and Milwaukee. If the Cardinals do that, they should be able to stay ahead in the NL Central race and avoid a 1 game Wild Card against either the Pirates or Reds.

So can the Cardinals do it? 

I believe the Cardinals can. I think the confidence they gained from sweeping the Pirates should keep the Cardinals focus on the big goal. Get the NL Central title.

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