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Despite challenges, Cards still in playoff hunt
- Updated: September 20, 2016
DENVER — So here are the St. Louis Cardinals with a starting lineup on Monday night against the Rockies that included five players who have spent time on the disabled list this year and a DL that still includes left fielder Matt Holliday, who hit third on Opening Day.
They lost projected starter Lance Lynn during the offseason with elbow surgery and have seen starting pitchers Mike Leake and Michael Wacha among 18 players who have been on the disabled list, three of whom have been sidelined twice. And while Wacha is active now, he is limited to an inning or two in relief.
Their longest winning streak of the season is five games, and they never did spend a day atop the NL Central, where the Cubs have run away with the division title, clinching last week and carrying a 16-game lead over the Cardinals today.
Just the same, with a 5-3 victory against the Rockies at Coors Field on Monday night, the Cardinals are a game back of the Mets, 7-3 losers to the Braves on Monday, and tied with the Giants, 2-1 losers to the Dodgers, in the battle for the two NL Wild Card spots.
Surprised? Don’t be.
It is the Cardinals’ Way.
It is about winning, not excuses. It’s the “Next Man Up” mentality that has become a way of existence for this franchise, which has won an NL-best 11 World Series championships, including in 2011; 23 pennants, including 2011 and 2013, and has made 28 postseason appearances, including each of the last five seasons.
“There is no organization that is 100 percent every year,” said Holliday. “We’re no different.”
What is different is the Cardinals’ ability to avoid looking for excuses …
