2010 MLB Season Preview: St. Louis Cardinals

Charlie Klein

Key Additions:

Brad Penny (SP)
Felipe Lopez (2B)

Key Departures:

Rick Ankiel (OF)
Joel Pineiro (SP)
John Smoltz (SP)

The St. Louis Cardinals have a guy named Albert Pujols. I don't know if you've heard of him, but he's kind of el hombre around the Gateway City these days. Whether Albert is a machine or not we'll leave for another blog post at another time. What is indisputable is that this man is the best hitter in the game; and has been the best for a long time.

As such, any discussion or predictions about the success or failure of the 2010 edition of the Red Birds begins and ends with Albert Pujols. The Cardinals are more than just an all-world, all-century first baseman. Their pitching rotation is one of the best in baseball, especially at the top. Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter were both legitimate Cy Young Award Candidates last sesaon. They have to be the top 1-2 in the National League, all apologies to Sirs Lincecum and Cain in San Francisco. 

The 2010 Cardinals need Chris Carpenter to stay healthy this season more than in any other season previous. There is much uncertainty surrounding this year's rotation and the Cardinals have yet to pencil in a No. 5 starter on their official depth chart. I have all the confidence in the world that pitching coach turned alchemist Dave Duncan will be able to put together a rotation that will win the Cardinals their second consecutive NL Central this season. 

The hitting side of things will also be strong for the Cardinals in 2010. Securing the long term services of Matt Holliday was a major boost for a team that lost Rick Ankiel to Kansas City this offseason. A player to watch this year for the Cardinals is the young and hyped Colby Rasmus. He can play the field well and has a lot of power in that Louisville-Slugger bat of his. The Cards also added second baseman Felipe Lopez to the roster following a renaissaince season of sorts for him. He will provide a decent glove and bat at Busch Stadium this summer. I feel more comfortable with this team than any other in the Central and that comfort level is my reason for picking them to win the division. The Cubs and Brewers are both the very definition of inconsistent and injury prone, and while I love Ryan Braun I just do not think his bat (paired with Prince Fielder's) will be enough for them this season. The Reds, as previously reviewed, remain too much of an enigma and god only knows the last time the Pirates were above .500. So I am left with the steady Cardinals. They are like that decent looking girl you were always friends with and probably would have been the best girlfriend, but ultimately lack that attraction that make you want to go the distance with. So no World Series for them. But, at any rate, they've got enough to win the division.

Projected Starting Nine:

1. Brendan Ryan (SS)

2. Felipe Lopez (2B)

3. Albert Pujols (1B)

4. Matt Holliday (LF)

5. Ryan Ludwick (RF)

6. Colby Rasmus (CF)

7. Yadier Molina (C)

8. David Freese (3B)

9. Adam Wainwright (P)

Projected Starting Rotation

1. Adam Wainwright

2. Chris Carpenter

3. Kyle Lohse

4. Brad Penny

Best Reliever: Jason Motte

Closer: Ryan Franklin

Predicted Finish: First in the NL Central.