When Matt Holliday made his way over the Cardinals during a trade at mid-season; his goal was to form the greatest 3-4 hitting combo of all-time--except with him being the number four behind the likes of the great-Albert Pujols.
But in all honesty, while I certainly won't expect--nor ever believe that that is quite possible anymore with the departure of Mr. AP--I do however expect big and productive things out of the new 3-4 hitters--and for now, that means both of the likes of Matt Holliday--and first-season teammate, Carlos Beltran.
At the current moment, as of the conclusion of the team's 2-to-1 win over the Dodgers--Beltran has been nothing short of a streaky hitter--as meaning that for one month he is hot--but then the next month he is ice cold. On the season Beltran is batting .263 at the plate--and has the team lead in home runs (29) and has the teams second most RBI with 87 total.
Through the months of April through September, his averages seem to be up--then falter. His batting average by month has gone from him hitting .256, .326, .337, .200, .211, and now in the month of September, he is once again slumping .207.
As for Matt Holliday--who as of right now is the face of this franchise on the offensive-side of the game--is hitting .299 from the plate this team--and has currently posted the teams' highest amount of RBIs with 94--and has twenty-six home runs--which is good enough for second on the team as he trails Beltran by just three for the team lead.
The two players have combined for 291 total hits as Holliday has 161--with Beltran having 130. The two teammates have combined also for a National League due-lead in doubles with 58.
ALBERT WHO?!?! Not that that quote had anything to do with him--just thought that I would add that in as a knock on the man and his team that may nor--and I hope don't--make the MLB post-season.
WHAT THE CARDINALS NEED FROM MATT HOLLIDAY:
We most certainly need him to come through with some clutch-hits over the next hopefully month and a half--but for now, just the next couple of weeks so that the team just makes the playoffs--which includes him hitting with runners in scoring position (RISP), Thus far through the season, Matt is hitting .250 (36-for-144) in that situation--and if we are going to make the post-season, that needs to change, drastically.
Also, his play in the out-field is above suberb; and if we know anything about that a few times in the past--he needs to continue his outfield play from this season--and not the past.
WHAT THE CARDINALS NEED FROM CARLOS BELTRAN:
Normally defense is Carlos' best aspect when it comes to his game--and knowing how he plays, many including myself have just come to suspect that from him every single play. A few things we need from this man includes better or just more aggressive baserunning--more clutch hitting as well--and possibly for the man that this same team could NEVER stop--nor even contain in post-season baseball--to continue that again.
Los' is always pretty aggressive on the base paths; but him doing it more often would help out quite a bit in my opinion--and not to forget, possibly give this team a much-needed spark. While Beltran owns twenty-four doubles and one triple--he also has been caught five of thirteen times attempting to steal--and while that's not that bad--he certainly could have better numbers. Also, another big thing to prove, is better hitting with runners in scoring position. So far this season, Beltran is hitting .278 (37-for-133) and if he can get himself on a hot strike and improve on that--this team could once again become very, very scary and dangerous.
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