Since the 2010 MLB Postseason, the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals have flip flopped representing the National League in the World Series with the Giants making their appearance in each of the past three even numbered years and St. Louis going during the odd numbered years. Though the 2015 season is still very young, the Cardinals are off to an amazing start as they look to continue that pattern. The formula took a major hit just two weeks ago, however, when it was learned that Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright would miss the remainder of the season with a torn Achilles tendon, suffered during an at-bat on April 25.
While an injury of this magnitude to a player as significant to his team as Waino is would normally crumble a franchise for the season moving forward, it's almost as if the injury inspired the ball club. Since the injury to their ace occurred, the Cardinals have gone 9-3 and are coming off their first nine-win homestand since 2002, helping them jump out to a 6 1/2 game lead in the NL Central standings. After posting a record of 19-6 which set a mark for the best start in franchise history through the first 25 games of the season, the Red Birds now stand at a league-best record of 21-7 following Thursday's 5-1 win over the archrival Chicago Cubs. Since 2009, Wainwright has been one of the premier pitchers in all of baseball, placing in the top three of NL Cy Young voting four times in his career. And through his first four starts of 2015, Wainwright was off to another stellar start to the season, boasting a record of 2-1 and an ERA of 1.44.
With the game of baseball now without one of its best pitchers for the remainder of the season, it's that time of year to bring up the annual discussion of, "should the National League adopt the designated-hitter rule" like their American League counterpart. Any time a pitcher gets injured either at the plate or on the base paths by way of a freak injury as was the case with Wainwright, you can bet your bottom dollar those in favor of the DH will come out of the woodwork with lit torches and pitchforks in hand in support of the National League adopting the designated-hitter. While most teams are afraid to lose their multi-million dollar pitching investment to an injury while at the plate which doesn't quite pertain to what they were initially signed for, the small-ball strategy which goes into the National League's game is the last remaining component separating the two leagues.
But in the meantime, NL pitcher's continue to hit and the Cardinals continue to win. Prior to Wainwright's injury, St. Louis was struggling on offense as runs were at a minimum. But since then, the Cardinals have averaged nearly six runs per game as the bats have awoken, backed by some stout pitching from veteran pitcher John Lackey who has registered several gems this season as well as a bullpen which has been nails during their most recent homestand which saw a combined ERA of 1.01 over 44 1/3 innings. If there's one team in all of baseball who can overcome the absence of a 3-time All-Star like Wainwright and still contend for a title as we've learned over the years, it's the Red Birds. After all, this isn't their first go-around without their workhorse as the Cardinals went on to win the 2011 World Series with Wainwright sidelined for the entire season. The only surprise this time around would be if St. Louis can continue at their current pace all season long in an NL Central division which features two teams that are young and hungry in the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates, both of whom weren't even a blip on the radar in 2011.
Follow me on Twitter: @FraserKnowsBest
For almost all Major League teams, Spring Training is utilized to work out the kinks in players and in most cases prepare them for the grueling season that awaits. However, nothing in the world could prepare the St. Louis Cardinals for the news they recently received. As if Redbirds fans haven't been through enough this past week after the team failed to ink their All-Star slugger -- Albert Pujols to a long-term deal before the start of Spring Training, their hopes of capturing a World Series title in 2011 will have to do without their best pitcher for the past two seasons -- Adam Wainwright. While throwing batting practice, Wainwright felt a burning sensation in his right elbow before experiencing stiffness, causing him to be evaluated by team trainers who later told the 2010 All-Star that Tommy John surgery will be required to reconstruct his elbow, forcing him to sit out the entire upcoming season. Wainwright, the runner-up for the NL Cy Young Award for the second consecutive season last year, losing to Giants ace Tim Lincecum in 2009 and Phillies hurler Roy Halladay in 2010, failed to take the hill in his last scheduled start in 2010 following an injury to the same elbow. Those in the clubhouse believe last year's injury might have a bit to do with this one. Not only will Wainwright's absence be felt by Cardinal fans, but also by fans of fantasy baseball. Just how valuable has Wainwright been over the past two years for the Cardinals and fantasy owners alike? His 39 Wins, 2.53 ERA, 425 K's and 463 Innings Pitched all rank among the top 10 in the league. And if you're not familiar with those type of numbers, all you need to know is that ESPN has him ranked as the No. 1 starting pitcher in Fantasy Baseball. 
Though it may not have any effect in fantasy sports considering most drafts are yet to take place, the loss is a huge blow for the Cardinals organization and makes a large dent in their shots at winning the division. But as devastating as the news may be, it's nothing new for the Cardinals organization who are all too familiar with Tommy John surgery, having lost their ace and former Cy Young Award winner Chris Carpenter to the very same injury back in 2007. With the surgery, Wainwright joins the list of Cardinals starting pitchers Jaime Garcia, Jake Westbrook and the aforementioned Chris Carpenter who have all underwent the procedure during their career. Without Wainwright, St. Louis' fate could very well hinge on Carpenter if Jaime Garcia fails to repeat last seasons success. That's if Carpenter can remain healthy.Three innings into his Spring Training debut pitching against the Florida Marlins, Carpenter suffered a strained left hamstring before handing the ball over. With Cards manager Tony LaRussa downplaying the injury, worst case scenario Carpenter will miss his next start. But if injuries are beginning to pile up during Spring Training, there's no telling what might happen once the regular season kicks off. If Carpenter is plagued with another injury like he has been throughout his career, the Cardinals will have to survive without one of the better pitching tandems in all of baseball, leaving the division open for other division favorites. Those favorites include such teams as the reigning NL Central champion Cincinnati Reds who ended their 15 year playoff drought last season and the Milwaukee Brewers who's pitching staff recently received a much needed makeover with the additions of gems Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum.
