Timing for Pujols is off; Cardinals’ timing a little late

It should never take a grand total of eight games to break a losing
streak.  Just ask the Atlanta Braves, whose skid went all the way
to ten games before breaking into the win column.  The Cardinals
may have lost eight in a row, but the team is still in the division
lead.  It says something is seriously wrong with a team when it
still leads its division after losing eight straight.  What it
really says is that the team was absolutely stellar before the slump.  That’s the truth too, because looking back at the Cardinals season, it’s easy to say that they were a stellar team. 
On Wednesday night, the  St. Louis Cardinals showed their stellar
side once more, fighting to the finish to beat the Cleveland Indians
with a score of 5-4.  While the game was won on an error that
allowed Aaron Miles to score the game-winning run, it can be said that
because Eckstein hustled to first base, the Cardinals won. 

Hustle.  That’s exactly what some have been saying this team lacked.  Hustle
is what Albert Pujols does when he runs from first to third after
coming off the Disabled List.  Hustle is Aaron Miles still running
full force to home on that play, knowing easily that Eckstein could
have been thrown out.  Hustle is Albert Pujols climbing
over the dugout wall and running all the way to cheer on his teammates
as the game was won in the bottom of the ninth.

Unfortunately,
that was about as much action as Pujols took part in during the game on
Wednesday.  Pujols only got on base once, via a walk.  His
five-game hitting streak came to an end, but he has been on base in all
but one game since he returned.  After finishing 0-3 against the
Indians, it was still obvious that Pujols’ timing was still way
off.  It could be said that his 4 for 4 night was just luck,
considering that his swings have looked strangely off balance since
then.  Pujols did that his timing would be back in a week or two,
so it’s important to give him time.

The Cardinals’ timing is
farther off than Pujols’ is, though.  It took eight games to get a
win, and naturally, it’s a night that Pujols went 0 for 3 at the
plate.  Luckily for the Cards, the Royals are coming to town, and
after that, it’s back to the National League, where everyone else is
struggling as much as St. Louis is. (That is, except for the Mets)

Written by APC Staff Writer Brady Holzhauer