After beating the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday night in the four game series opener, the Cardinals have dropped two straight ballgames and now the two teams enter Sunday's finale tied for the NL's final wild card spot.
With all of that blooming upon us; first-year manager Mike Matheny is giving the ball to none other than one of the clutchest big game pitchers of the last five-to-seven seasons', Adam Wainwright.
Despite Wainwright having a rather off season, atleast according to his own expectations--which wasn't necessarily unexpected considering its his first season back from Tommy John surgery--winning is always the only concern he has coming into a game.
Entering this afternoon's important contest, Wainwright is 13-13 on the season and owns an earned-run average of 4.01. While his ERA this season is well above his career average, he still has posted 170 strikeouts on the year--and has had some very impressive starts as of recent to keep the team in striking distance of finishing off their bid for the final Wild Card spot in the National League.
The Cardinals are 6-3 in his last ten starts--but have lost his last three. He went on a five game win streak over the span of August 4th through August 26th--but since then haven't won while his last start was a loss to the Padres in a game in which he lasted six innings and gave up just two earned runs.
If there is one pitcher that can give this team a much-needed spark in a game that is as pivotal as this afternoon's game is, it is most definitely the determination and willingness of and from former Cy Young award winner Adam Wainwright.
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