As I type this, Jake Arrieta has just completed his second no-hitter in eight months to bring the Chicago Cubs to 12-4, which means they're on pace for a ridiculous final record of 122-40. One thing I miss about the days when Matthew Leach was covering the team for MLB.com were his famed #Leachpacetweets. At the conclusion of each game he'd recount how many games had been played, how many games were left, and how many games the Cardinals were on pace to win. It was when you knew the game for that day was officially done and it was time to think about the next day. Here's an example.
The Cardinals were off yesterday as they headed west but they are 8-7 on the season, which means they're on pace for a 86-76 record. While that would be 36 games behind the Cubs, it would also mean they'd probably miss the playoffs. The last time 86 wins would have qualified an NL Central team for the postseason was (maybe) 2012, but they would have first had to play the Los Angeles Dodgers in a play-in game for the right to go to Atlanta for the Wild Card game. Before that, and playing by current wild card rules, you'd have to go back to 2006, when 83 wins was enough to win the NL Central and a whole lot more. So I propose that the Cardinals do what they can and win more than 86 games in 2016.
Oh, and this was the best, and, I believe, his last #Leachpacetweet sent in official capacity as Cardinals beat writer:
180 down. None to go. Good night.
— Matthew Leach (@MatthewHLeach) October 29, 2011
Here's what you may have missed yesterday at VEB:
Yadier Molina
I was thinking yesterday that Yadi's work with the bat was not getting enough play so I was happy to see Joe Schwarz do an excellent breakdown of Molina's hitting thus far. Joe's right when he states that the ball seems to be popping off Yadi's bat in a way not seen since early 2014.
Randal Grichuk
I wrote about whether Randal Grichuk is taking a more cautious approach at the plate this year in an effort to see more pitches to hit.
Carlos Martinez
Our favorite pitcher was hanging out in the Butterfly House at the Botanical Garden recently.
Heffner and Gomber
Ebo detailed strong starts from pitching prospects Jeremy Heffner and Austin Gomber.
Prince
Also, as everyone surely knows, Prince died yesterday and in his honor here's a picture of Mark McGwire in a red corvette. RIP, Prince.
Have a great weekend, everyone.