St. Louis Cardinals 2016 Season Preview - chibulls84's Dynasty

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St. Louis Cardinals 2016 Season Preview

Posted on May 14, 2015 at 05:07 AM.

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2016 St. Louis Cardinals Season Preview (FROM MLB 13: THE SHOW)

After repeating as back-to-back World Series champions in 2013 and 2014, the St. Louis Cardinals come off a 106-win season and also winning their 3rd consecutive Central Division title. However, they fell short in the 2015 NLCS against the Inewly crowned World Champion) Atlanta Braves, losing Game 7, 4-1. The last thing the Cardinals wanted to do was watch their opponents win on their home turf.

To rebound from their playoff loss, the Cardinals went out and traded star pitcher Shelby Miller, who was the 2015 NL Cy Young Award Winner (narrowly beating out Phillies ace Cole Hamels), for Tampa Bay Rays ace David Price. The Cardinals were looking for a solid left-hander in the rotation due to the decline of departed pitcher Jaime Garcia. Having 5 right-handers was great during the season, but management to get a new look and went after Price. Price will more than likely go in as the #2 starter for the Redbirds behind ace Adam Wainwright. Michael Wacha, Carlos Martinez and Lance Lynn round out the rotation. The Cardinals also decided to re-sign top All-Star closer Jonathan Papelbon.

On offense, last year's team ranked 1st in the majors in runs scored and didn't feel the need to add another bat to the lineup. Matt Adams sparked the lineup having a career year with 39 home runs and 111 runs batted in to go with a .318 average. The Cards had great production from everyone who was in the lineup. Second baseman Kolten Wong, who despite having a .245 average, still knocked in 82 runs while batting from the eighth slot in the order. Elvis Andrus, who finished his first season with the Redbirds, hitting over .300, stealing 35 bases and knocking over 50 runs from the leadoff spot. Jon Jay also had a career year hitting over .310 and driving over 80 runs from the #2 hole. Matt Holliday had a down year in home runs with 17 but still managed to drive in 94 as he did the previous year. Holliday also collected his 2,000th hit for his career in September. The Redbirds also have the privilege of having the last 2 Rookies Of The Year winners in Oscar Taveras (2014) and third baseman Chuck Beach who batted .310 and drove in 74.

Although, Adams was the only one to knock in over 100 runs, the team got constant contributions from everyone in the lineup. Can the production continue in this new campaign? This season will tell the story.