Halfway There, BUT...

By JP

Would you like to see my but? Allow me to be the Cardinals Nay-sayer for a few paragraphs. Yes, the Cardinals are 2-0 in the 2013 NCLS after a 13 inning 3-2 win in game 1 and a 1-0 win in game 2.

BUT...

That's only halfway there. The Cardinals still need to win two games. So, to all Cardinals fans DON'T GET COCKY AND PULL YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR ASS. Yes, Cardinals fans are among the most knowledgeable in baseball and Cardinal fans are some of the nicest in baseball. However, I know several fans that don't pay attention until the playoffs and then go around bragging to anyone who will listen about the win the Cardinals just had. To them I say, COOL IT!



Last year in the 2012 NLCS the Cardinals had a 3-1 series lead and lost the series in seven games. That was, admittedly, a different scenario in the sense that the Cardinals have home field this year. I would also like to point out that Adam Wainwright, the Cardinals undisputed ace, is going to pitch game 3 in Los Angeles. This, on the surface, seems like a great scenario for Cardinals (and it is), but let's not get ahead of ourselves. The Cardinals just got done beating the Dodgers' two aces, but still allowed 16 runners to get into scoring position. They can't allow that scenario in Los Angeles because the Dodgers will be at home and one run, just like in the first two games, could be the difference.

Now, you may be asking yourself, "Why are you calling out Cardinals fans and being so negative and, really, being kind of a jerk? The Cardinals are in great shape right now!" Well, to answer your question, I have been a Cardinals and baseball fan for nearly 30 years and I know what can happen. For every 2006 and 2011 post season there is a 1996 and 2012 (the Cardinals were up 3-1 in the series to the Braves and Giants, respectively and lost both series).  I want to be clear here, I am NOT suggesting that the Cardinals are destined to lose this series or anything like that, but I AM suggesting that winning those last two games will NOT be a walk in the park. Or a frolic through the tulips. Or a series with the Phillies or Marlins (the Cards swept both season series if I am not mistaken). Let's also keep in mind 2004 when the Cardinals went up 2-0 at home against the Houston Astros and then lost three in a row in Houston. Of course, the Cardinals went on to win that series in seven, but this is the baseball post season, anything can happen.

So, let's keep our calm, enjoy the two wins so far, and see what happens in Los Angeles. Wainwright IS pitching and going against the rookie Ryu (but we know what rookies are capable of this year, aren't we?) so things are looking up. Oh, and keep in mind, the Cardinals ARE half way there.