St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Alex Reyes celebrates a double play to get out of the eighth inning as Arizona Diamondbacks Stephen Vogt first grounds to Reyes at Busch Stadium on Tuesday, June 29, 2021. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
THREE UP
A reliever revelation, Reyes primed for a larger role in the future of the Cardinals, but along the way he’s been an All-Star closer and, at 22-for-22, he’s one shy of record for save conversions to start a career.
For second consecutive season, veteran is MVP of pitching staff. No need to squint through reading glasses to see he’s reliable, among league leaders in innings (105 2/3) and ERA (3.58).
Despite a June downturn– like the team – Arenado’s OPS+ rates with his best seasons in Colorado, plus 56 RBIs. When Cardinals take on his infectious personality is when they’ll excel.
THREE DOWN
For the third consecutive season the lineup ranks near the bottom in slugging (.379, 25th and homers (94, 23rd and 17th in doubles (138). A one-dimensional slog and pitcher-friendly ballpark doesn’t mesh, already forcing a rethinking of approach.
When Jack Flaherty tore his oblique on May 31, execs agreed they needed outside pitching help immediately but could not wait the month for a free agent to be ready. Six weeks later, they still need help, and moved too slow – maybe too late? Biggest whiff of the first half.