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The past decade has been a golden age of St. Louis Cardinals baseball. Beginning with the MV3 of Jim Edmonds, Scott Rolen, and Albert Pujols, the Cardinals have made the postseason in six of the last ten seasons. In October, they've won four division titles, a National League pennant and two World Series championships. One of the hallmarks of the era has been a hot start to the season. Even with poor relief pitching and a slumping offense, the Cardinals enjoyed another successful April in 2012.
In eight out of the last ten seasons, the Cardinals have held at least a share of first place in the National League Central as the calendar turned to May. This is the sixth consecutive season in which the ultimate out of April's last game was had and the Redbirds possessed at least a share of first place in the NL Central. April 2013 is the fifth straight year in which the NL Central has concluded play in April with St. Louis sitting alone atop its standings.
In eight out of the last ten Aprils, the Cardinals have finished the month with a winning percentage over .550. But it isn't just wins and losses that reflect the club's success. Run differential does as well. In 80% of the last ten seasons, the Cardinals have posted a run differential of 20 runs or more eight times. In six out of the last ten seasons, El Birdos have ended April with a run differential of 30 or higher.
The following chart contains the Cardinals' win/loss record, winning percentage, runs scored, runs against, run differentia for the month of April from 2004 through 2013 and their place in the NL Central standings after the completion of play on April 30.
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS IN APRIL (2004-2013)
|
YEAR |
WINS |
LOSSES |
WIN% |
RS |
RA |
RUN DIFF |
PLACE |
|
2004 |
12 |
11 |
.522 |
130 |
123 |
+7 |
4th (T) |
|
2005 |
15 |
7 |
.682 |
105 |
82 |
+23 |
1st |
|
2006 |
17 |
8 |
.680 |
125 |
93 |
+32 |
1st (T) |
|
2007 |
10 |
14 |
.417 |
82 |
111 |
-29 |
4th (T) |
|
2008 |
18 |
11 |
.621 |
135 |
104 |
+31 |
1st (T) |
|
2009 |
16 |
7 |
.696 |
133 |
96 |
+37 |
1st |
|
2010 |
15 |
8 |
.652 |
105 |
73 |
+32 |
1st |
|
2011 |
16 |
10 |
.615 |
141 |
101 |
+30 |
1st |
|
2012 |
14 |
8 |
.636 |
113 |
60 |
+53 |
1st |
|
2013 |
15 |
11 |
.577 |
117 |
93 |
+24 |
1st |
As you can see, the Cardinals have proven adept at getting off to hot starts. They've experienced a successful April yet again this season. As Torty would tell you, a fast start doesn't guarantee one will win the race. It will be fun to see if they carry their early-season success through the end of September.