MLB Playoffs 2016: 3 reasons the Cardinals will make it

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Sep 13, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Brandon Moss (37) hits a two run home run off of Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jason Hammel (not pictured) during the sixth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

1. They can change the score in quicker than any team in the game

The Cardinals may not be a tremendous defending team, nor may they have the same type of overall pitching excellence that has defined them in years past. But one thing this year’s Birds can do is beat down the fences.

St. Louis’ 213 home runs are the most in the National League, and their 530 extra base hits trail only the Colorado Rockies on the year. This is fueled by four bats (Brandon Moss, Jedd Gyorko, Randal Grichuk and Stephen Piscotty) who have topped 20 homers on the year. That group is followed by Matt Carpenter and Matt Holliday, both of whom have 19 round trippers on the year despite missing over 40 games each.

If that is not enough, Aledmys Diaz, Matt Adams and Jeremy Hazelbaker each are also in double figures in home runs, bringing the club total to nine separate players in double digits.

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But they are more than just a team that waits for round tripper to do their work for them. Carpenter, Piscotty and Yadier Molina all have bested 30 doubles as well, while 52% of Grichuk’s hits on the year have been for extra bases. They are a team that can chase down a deficit in a hurry if need be, while also being able to put up some insurmountable leads if needed as well.

If the Cardinal bats come to life this week, they could make it very hard for the Pirates or Reds to keep pace –as well as their competition in New York and San Francisco as well.

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