Ah, opening day. The sun is shining and the birds are chirping here in St. Louis. Cardinals baseball is finally back. Today marks the beginning of the 162+ game journey that is baseball season.
What would a new season be without some predictions though? What does Chat Cardinals think your favorite everyday Cardinals will do this season? Let's take a look!
Jon Jay
2013 Projections: BA .309, 8 HR, 42 RBI
Jay is quite possibly one of the most undervalued players in the game. He hit .305 last season while playing superb defense in center. I think he should progress a bit with another season under his belt.
Matt Carpenter
2013 Projections: BA .285, 10 HR, 55 RBI
Carpenter is bound to see a lot more at bats this year, so his RBI and homer totals should increase. At the same time, he may wear down a little more which warrants a dip in his average.
[caption id="attachment_68" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Matt Holliday is poised for yet another big year"]
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Matt Holliday
2013 Projections: BA .302, 33 HR, 110 RBI
Unfortunately for the Cards, I do not expect Beltran to be quite as good this season. Therefore, it will be up to Holliday to pick up some of the slack. An increase in BA, HR, and RBI is certainly possible for the slugger.
Allen Craig
2013 Projections: BA .302, 25 HR, 95 RBI
Craig was insane last season, hitting over .400 with runners in scoring position. I do not think he can repeat that success, but he is nonetheless a great hitter. Plus, he will not have to miss the first chunk of the season this time around.
Carlos Beltran
2013 Projections: BA .250, 24 HR, 80 RBI
Beltran is a great hitter, but I just do not expect him to be as healthy as he was last year this time around. He reminds me a lot of Lance Berkman, and we all remember how Berky's second year with the team went. Beltran's should not be as bad, but he will miss his fair share of games.
Yadier Molina
2013 Projections: BA .320, 20 HR, 80 RBI
Molina showed the world that he could hit last season, and I expect him to continue to get better. The homers might take a slight dip, but his average and RBI totals should take a little jump up.
Daniel Descalso
2013 Projections: BA .244, 5 HR, 35 RBI
Is Descalso as bad as last seasons stats show? No, but he is certainly not a bopper either. His average should take a nice climb, which should give him a couple more RBI this season as well.
Pete Kozma
2013 Projections: BA .240, 5 HR, 32 RBI
Kozma was white hot last season when he joined the Cardinals in September. However, I do not think he can repeat that success. I unfortunately must predict a very mediocre season by the shortstop.
David Freese
2013 Projections: BA .290, 22 HR, 75 RBI
Freese put up some very nice stats last season. I expect more of the same from him this season, so long as he can stay relatively healthy throughout the year.
[caption id="attachment_69" align="alignright" width="275" caption="Adam Wainwright will prove himself as an elite pitcher again in 2013"]
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Adam Wainwright
2013 Projections: W-L 21-7 , 2.50 ERA, 1.10 WHIP
Wainwright is coming back in a big way this season. I think these stats are definitely within his reach, as well as a chance at the Cy Young award.
Lance Lynn
2013 Projections: W-L 16-10, 3.25 ERA, 1.30 WHIP
Lynn was great to begin last season, but tailed off near the end. He was also helped by a lot of run support. I do not think his win totals can be quite as good this time around, but overall he should be a much better pitcher in 2013.
Jaime Garcia
2013 Projections: W-L 14-9, 3.15 ERA, 1.25 WHIP
Garcia really struggled last season, but the guy has filthy stuff. If he can get his head on straight, then look out. He should rebound pretty nicely this season.
Jake Westbrook
2013 Projections: W-L 12-10, 3.80 ERA, 1.40 WHIP
Westbrook looked lights out at times last season, but he also looked terrible at others. That is basically who the guy is. Therefore, I project pretty similar stats to those from last years campaign.
Shelby Miller
2013 Projections: W-L 14-8, 3.00 ERA, 1.20 WHIP
Miller will turn some heads this season. After a rough start to last season in AAA ball, he battled back and became a lights out guy. Expect him to be a lot better than many people may think.
[caption id="attachment_70" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="The Cardinals should be celebrating a postseason berth once again this October"]
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Jason Motte
2013 Projections: 35 saves, 2.50 ERA, 0.95 WHIP
Motte should be great again in 2013. Closers can be very tricky to project at times, but Motte still should have at least a couple more good years in him.
Team Prediction
89-73, 2nd in NL Central with a Wild Card Playoff Berth
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