MLB Playoffs 2016: 3 reasons the Cardinals will make it

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Jul 16, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (50) points at the stands after throwing a complete game shutout against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Adam Wainwright is in line to have the season on his shoulders

Granted, the typical calculating, precise excellence that Adam Wainwright has come to be known for has been largely absent this year. His 4.57 ERA is a career high, while his 12 wins are his lowest total in a full season in his career.

But the Cardinal ace is still capable of digging down and finding his vintage form on occasion, as he did on July 7^th against the Pirates, when he fired seven innings of one run baseball in route to a victory at Busch. The 35-year-old vet has been closer to his familiar form when toeing the mound at home as well, carrying a 2.94 ERA and holding batters to an average against 40 points lower than on the road. Among Cardinal starters, he leads the staff in home victories and ERA, so if a pivotal start is to be made, the longtime ace is still the man for the job—even if his surface level numbers say otherwise.

There is no pitcher on the Cardinal roster that has more big game experience than Wainwright, and that is exactly what he will need, as he is scheduled to take the mound in the season finale against the Pirates on Sunday afternoon. Waino has a 2.74 ERA in two starts on the year against the Bucs at home, and has taken home victories in both outings, striking out 14 while walking only one.

Despite the rise of Carlos Martinez this summer and the flashes of brilliance that Alex Reyes has shown since his August promotion, Wainwright’s presence alone will bring something different to the confidence of the team in what could be its do or die sunset.

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