Fansided

7 MLB stars who have to step up in September

By Joshua Sadlock

Jun 7, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista (19) gets ready to bat against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 7, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista (19) gets ready to bat against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 30, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright (50) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 30, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright (50) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Adam Wainwright

The Cardinals are hanging tough in the second wild card spot, ahead of McCutchen’s Pirates. Despite their tenuous grasp on a playoff spot, it’s been a very un-Cardinals like year in St. Louis. The offense has had to carry the team at times, and the starting pitching has been spotty. Ace Adam Wainwright has shouldered much of the blame in that category.

Waino is only 9-8 this season with a 4.53 ERA. Despite his inflated ERA, the 35-year-old’s peripheral statistics indicate that he hasn’t been quite that bad. Wainwright has a 3.58 FIP and is striking out and walking batters at rates close to his career norms.

Age and injuries have taken some of the shine away from the perennial All-Star and Cy Young candidate, but Wainwright still looks capable of dialing up five or six good starts over the season’s final month. The Cardinals have not missed the playoffs since 2010, and a good month from Wainwright should be enough to keep the Pirates at bay and the Cardinals’ postseason streak alive.

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