Cardinals Getting Offense From Entire Lineup

The Cardinals have had several high scoring games this season, which led me to research how unusual this is. Most fans may not realize at just 41 games into the 2016 season, but the Cardinals bats have been incredible! As a team, the Cards have hit 55 home runs so far (tied for 4^th in the Majors), an average of 1.34 home runs per game. If this momentum continues, the Cards will have 217­ home runs on the season, which makes it the highest for the team since 2000 (when it was 1.45 home runs per game) and the third highest in the team’s history. The 2016 Slugging Percentage (that’s Total Bases/At Bats) is .465 for 2016, which is the second best in the Majors and the highest it has been for the Cards since 1930! The Cards ended the 1930 season 92-62 with such players as Frankie Frisch, Sparky Adams, and rookie Dizzie Dean.

On May 10, the Cards hit 5 home runs against the Angels, showing their power as a team.

So my first question, who is hitting our home runs? In short, everyone is! Matt Carpenter leads the team in home runs, with 9 on the season. Rounding out the 5+ Home Run Club are Jeremy Hazelbaker and Brandon Moss (7 each), and Aledmys Diaz and Matt Holliday (6 each). 7 Cardinals have over .500 Slugging Percentages. Greg Garcia is in the lead at 1.000 for his 10 at bats, and Aledmys Diaz leads the regular roster at .636. Even Adam Wainwright has shown his power with a .733 SLG for his 15 at bats. As we’ve come to expect, there isn’t just one shining star on this team. Instead, it truly is a team effort that’s producing the home runs.

Matt Carpenter hit his 9th home run in yesterday's game against the Rockies.

Last season, the Redbirds finished with the best team record in the Majors (100-62), and the bats didn’t come to life until the Postseason. I don’t know what’s gotten into the Cards, but I like it. Be sure to tune into 105.3 FM to catch every home run of the season with me.

The Cards are playing the 4^th game of a 16 game set involving the Rockies (20-20, we won 2 of 3), Diamondbacks (19-24), Cubs (28-11), Nationals (25-16), and Brewers (18-23). On Friday, Randal Grichuk left Thursday’s game early due to tightness in his back, and he is expected to return any day. Mitch Harris has begun throwing again and should return soon, Jhonny Peralta has begun rehab in the Cardinals Class A affiliate team in Peoria, IL, and Jordan Walden is rehabilitating at home. Brayan Pena and Seth Maness should return in early June. And Marco Gonzalez and Lance Lynn are out for the season.

Go Cards!

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