The St. Louis Cardinals had a surprise year last year to go on one of the most improbable World Series victories in the history of the sport. If it wasn't for the Atlanta epic collapse to end the year, St. Louis wouldn't have been able to make the postseason. In do or die games throughout the postseason, they were able to put out tough wins particularly in game 6 and 7 in the World Series against the tough Texas Rangers to take home the title.
In could be a higher climb this season, but St. Louis needs to adapt to life without manager Tony La Russa, who opted to step down, and Albert Pujols, debatably the top batter in the game, who confirmed a free agent contract with the Angels. The Cardinals were able to welcome back ace Adam Wainwright who missed all of last year. That should be a big boost to the starting rotation. Let's have a quick look at who the best pitchers are for the Cardinals in 2012. Take a look at our entire St. Louis Cardinals predictions to find out how we think this team finishes out in 2012.
Projected Rotation
Chris Carpenter (RHP) - The 36-year-old ended the year by going 11-9 with a 2.45 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 34 games. He has what's needed to be an ace, but there are some fears that age has finally swept up to the veteran. The man has pitched 508.1 innings during the last 2 seasons.
Adam Wainwright (RHP) - Wainwright missed all of 2011 after receiving the Tommy John surgery. He ought to be back on form for the Cardinals in 2012, and they are banking on him to have similar numbers of a 20-11 record with a 2.42 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 33 starts like he did in the 2010 season.
Jaime Garcia (LHP) - Garcia disappointed a bit last season as he was not able to match what he did in his first year as a starter 2 seasons back. The 25-year-old lefty has a lot of potential to tap right into though, so I wouldn't worry too much about his future. His ERA jumped from 2.70 in 2010 to 3.56 last season, but he was able to match his 1.32 WHIP and 13 win mark. He definitely have what it takes to be the ace of this staff and be a 15 game winner as soon as this year.
Kyle Lohse (RHP) - Lohse surprise lots of people when he led St. Louis with 14 victories last year, particularly since he posted just 4-8 with a 6.55 ERA in 18 starts during the 2010 year. His 3.39 ERA and 1.17 WHIP were both career lows. At the age of 33 though, it's hard to predict if he'll build off that performance in 2012.
Jake Westbrook (RHP) - Westbrook finished the year with a respectable 12-9 record in 33 starts. But he's at the bottom of the revolution for a sound reason, as his 4.55 ERA and 1.53 WHIP from last season can swear to. When he's got control of his sinking fastball he will be able to be incredibly tough to hit, so another double-digit win year is definitely practicable.
Projected Closer
Jason Motte (RHP) - Motte's emergence in the closer's role might have been the reason why the Cardinals won the World Series last season. Without him, they wouldn't have even made the postseason. Motte converted 18 of 22 save opportunities while posting a 2.25 ERA and 0.96 WHIP. The other pitchers who attempted to close the ninth for St. Louis blew a mixed 22 save opportunities.
In could be a higher climb this season, but St. Louis needs to adapt to life without manager Tony La Russa, who opted to step down, and Albert Pujols, debatably the top batter in the game, who confirmed a free agent contract with the Angels. The Cardinals were able to welcome back ace Adam Wainwright who missed all of last year. That should be a big boost to the starting rotation. Let's have a quick look at who the best pitchers are for the Cardinals in 2012. Take a look at our entire St. Louis Cardinals predictions to find out how we think this team finishes out in 2012.
Projected Rotation
Chris Carpenter (RHP) - The 36-year-old ended the year by going 11-9 with a 2.45 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 34 games. He has what's needed to be an ace, but there are some fears that age has finally swept up to the veteran. The man has pitched 508.1 innings during the last 2 seasons.
Adam Wainwright (RHP) - Wainwright missed all of 2011 after receiving the Tommy John surgery. He ought to be back on form for the Cardinals in 2012, and they are banking on him to have similar numbers of a 20-11 record with a 2.42 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 33 starts like he did in the 2010 season.
Jaime Garcia (LHP) - Garcia disappointed a bit last season as he was not able to match what he did in his first year as a starter 2 seasons back. The 25-year-old lefty has a lot of potential to tap right into though, so I wouldn't worry too much about his future. His ERA jumped from 2.70 in 2010 to 3.56 last season, but he was able to match his 1.32 WHIP and 13 win mark. He definitely have what it takes to be the ace of this staff and be a 15 game winner as soon as this year.
Kyle Lohse (RHP) - Lohse surprise lots of people when he led St. Louis with 14 victories last year, particularly since he posted just 4-8 with a 6.55 ERA in 18 starts during the 2010 year. His 3.39 ERA and 1.17 WHIP were both career lows. At the age of 33 though, it's hard to predict if he'll build off that performance in 2012.
Jake Westbrook (RHP) - Westbrook finished the year with a respectable 12-9 record in 33 starts. But he's at the bottom of the revolution for a sound reason, as his 4.55 ERA and 1.53 WHIP from last season can swear to. When he's got control of his sinking fastball he will be able to be incredibly tough to hit, so another double-digit win year is definitely practicable.
Projected Closer
Jason Motte (RHP) - Motte's emergence in the closer's role might have been the reason why the Cardinals won the World Series last season. Without him, they wouldn't have even made the postseason. Motte converted 18 of 22 save opportunities while posting a 2.25 ERA and 0.96 WHIP. The other pitchers who attempted to close the ninth for St. Louis blew a mixed 22 save opportunities.
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