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5 reasons the St. Louis Cardinals will win it all in 2015

By Josh Criswell

Jul 5, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Thomas Pham (60) is congratulated by third base coach Jose Oquendo (11) after hitting his first major league home run against the San Diego Padres during the third inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 5, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Thomas Pham (60) is congratulated by third base coach Jose Oquendo (11) after hitting his first major league home run against the San Diego Padres during the third inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 12, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Trevor Rosenthal (26) throws the ball against the Colorado Rockies during the ninth inning at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Trevor Rosenthal (26) throws the ball against the Colorado Rockies during the ninth inning at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

Their bullpen is dominant

As great as the St. Louis Cardinals’ starting pitching has been this season, it can be argued that the performance from their bullpen has been even more impressive.

Their cumulative 2.26 ERA is the best among MLB relief units, and the best in the National League by nearly half a run. They are in the top-three in baseball in save percentage and slugging percentage allowed. And closer Trevor Rosenthal tied for the lead the National League in saves with 36.

While the starting rotation has posted the best ERA since 1985, the bullpen’s performance has been even more historic. The last team to have a better bullpen ERA than the Cardinals from` this season was the 1972 Pittsburgh Pirates.

Overworking his relievers has been a concern for manager Mike Matheny, however, and one that he realizes he must address before the playoffs arrive.

"“We can’t keep up that same pace,” Matheny told SI.com. “We were putting a heavy load on [Kevin] Siegrist, [Seth] Maness and [Trevor] Rosenthal. We need to shut down guys once in a while.”"

Using relievers without a full day’s rest can certainly drain a bullpen down the stretch, which Matheny has been often forced to do this season. Fortunately, the Cardinals’ starters have been able to ease the workload, and the relievers rank 19th in innings pitched as a result.

Having a reliable bullpen is crucial to postseason success. Having the best one in the MLB to compliment baseball’s best starting rotation is a recipe for a World Series victory.

Next: Clutch defense

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