The St. Louis Cardinals are on their way to the World Series once again. They were there in 2011 and should have been there last season, but regardless, they are one of the most consistent forces in MLB. After studying the N.L. Standings together with the MLB Playoff Standings, are they truly the best team in the N.L.?
The standings do not lie.
Here is a look at all the five teams that played October baseball and how their records finished following their elimination.
Atlanta Braves: 96-66 (Regular season), 1-3 (Postseason)= 97-69
Pittsburgh Pirates: 94-68 (Regular season), 3-3 (Postseason)= 97-71
Los Angeles Dodgers: 92- 70 (Regular Season), 5-5 (Postseason)= 97-75
Cincinnati Reds: 90-72 (Regular season), 0-1 (N.L. Wild Card Game)= 91-72
St. Louis Cardinals: 97-65 (Regular Season), 7-4 ( Postseason)= 104-69
Well, this is not a surprise. After their successful playoff run where they defeated the Pirates and Dodgers, the Cardinals are truly the best team in the National League. Some would argue, "Of course they are! They are in the N.L. Championship." Others would argue about luck being on their side all season long. The 2013 Cardinals have something going as they are truly the most successful team in the N.L.
When studying the winning percentages, things become a little different, but not for the Cardinals, who have overwhelmed their opponents with excellent pitching in the 2013 postseason.
Calculating Winning Percentages:
Braves: .584
Pirates: .577
Dodgers: .563
Cardinals: .601
The Cardinals finished the season with the highest overall winning percentage among all N.L. teams. However, it is interesting to point out that the Pirates finished second, though they played six fewer games than the Dodgers. This means the Pirates were just a lucky hit or out away from making the NLCS. They took the Cardinals to five games in the NLDS and had a chance to win the series as they held a 2-1 lead in Game 4.
The Dodgers struggled against the Cardinals in the NLCS. They looked like a completely different team in the second round and it is all because Hanley Ramirez was unhealthy. Not taking anything away from the Cardinals, who have great talents, but a healthy Ramirez in the Dodgers lineup makes a great difference.
As the N.L. Champions, the Cardinals will now face the Boston Red Sox. The World Series is two days away as both teams face off on Wednesday.