When Willson Contreras landed on the injured record with a fractured left arm in early Could, the St. Louis Cardinals had been 15-21, seven video games behind the Milwaukee Brewers and in final place within the NL Central.
Their futility stretched to a season-worst seven-game dropping streak on Could 11. They had been sitting in final place at 15-24 and 9 video games in again of the first-place Brewers.
Since then, St. Louis has been one of many hottest groups in baseball, and the membership’s beginning backstop can be returning to motion on Monday.
The Cardinals (39-37) have gone 24-13 and moved into second place within the division since their lowest level, have shaved two video games off Milwaukee’s lead and, most significantly, maintain the second NL wild card spot getting into Monday.
Though they’ve received eight of their final 11 contests, they will welcome again Contreras with open arms.
The three-time All-Star led St. Louis in runs scored (20), doubles (11), residence runs (six), walks (18), on-base share (.398), slugging share (.551) and OPS (.950) on the time of his damage. Contreras continues to be fourth in two-baggers and would lead the membership in on-base share, slugging share and OPS if he had sufficient plate appearances to qualify.
After going 71-91 to finish within the NL Central cellar in 2023, St. Louis is trying to keep away from its first back-to-back last-place finishes because the 1907 and 1908 seasons. The return of the ninth-year catcher might assist the Cardinals not solely keep away from that distinction however return to the playoffs as properly.
