After looking at the upcoming season schedule a few key areas stand as significant building blocks for a successful

defense of the NL Central. 

             1 Open with 12 of first 18 on the road ending in Ariz. + SF

             2 SF starts a 17 game run ( from SF to home for 4 against the Braves )

              -the 17 games include 4 at Philly

             3   Home for the Astros to start a 13 game stretch- thats 30 games in 31 days !

!            4  Right after the All-Sar Break we host the Dodgers and Phillies for 4 each then 3 in Chicago 11 in a row.

             5  Close August with 13 straight , heading into a potentially brutal Sept.

              6   30 Days Has September and the Cards play 28 of them  including 13 with no rest to close out  the year-

                  that is barring any make ups .

They need good solid performances from the starters and to be healthy at these critical junctures of the upcoming 

 campaign. We caught a few breaks in scheduling - AL West with the Angels, Mariners and A's @home and on the road for  Toronto and the JV I mean KC. The season also ends with the last 7 home against Pitt. and Col. 

It,s these 6 important stretches that would go a long way to making the season we all want to see.