STL Cardinals: 1 player from each of the last 3 years failing miserably, and 1 picking up speed

St. Louis Cardinals players still excelling: Harrison Bader is picking up speed

The trade of Harrison Bader to the Yankees for Jordan Montgomery was one of the most shocking deals ever pulled off by Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak. The Cardinals desperately needed starting pitching and, while he was injured, the Yankees needed an outfielder in the mold of Bader.

Montgomery succeeded in his couple of months with the Cardinals, and while he’s struggled this season, he has been heating up of late, even becoming the winning pitcher in a game against his old team on Sunday. He pitched 6.2 innings, giving up three hits and a walk while striking out six batters. He’s now 6-7 on the season. He has improved from where he started this season, and that’s great.

Bader started the season on the injured list again and has struggled to return. He’s played 36 games this season, slashing .262/.286/.468 with six home runs and 23 RBI. He’s attempting to make his way back with the team and is taking his time, which is OK, but we are in July now. Yankees fans are getting understandably anxious, considering the fact that the Yankees winning percentage is .128 better in games that Bader plays in (25 wins, 12 losses).