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Carlos Martinez and water cups are inspiring the Cardinals to hit more homers - A Hunt and Peck

I have solved the mystery.

i miss matt carpenter
i miss matt carpenter
Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

In his article on 101Sports.com Thursday morning, Bernie Miklasz discussed the Cardinals new-found (ish) home run hitting prowess:

Between 2012 and 2015 the Cardinals averaged 0.81 homers per game, ranking 26th among the 30 MLB teams. And their home-run muscle was even weaker from 2013 and 2015, with an average of 0.76 homers per game. That ranked 28th. Those Cardinals didn't punch. They jabbed...

In 2016... the Cardinals are averaging 1.39 homers per game in 2016. That figure tops the National League and is fourth in the majors.

He goes on to speculate on what caused such a dramatic increase. A different ball, bat speed, [gasp] cheating?

But I know the secret. The reason the Cardinals are mashing more dingers is because this:

#repost with @repostapp they love water showers in Stl #usssss @rgrich15 @yadier_marciano_molina @cardinals @mlb

A photo posted by Carlos Martinez (@tsunamy0327) on

The water cups!

See, I have traced back the first known water cup throw to this moment:

See the date on that - August 8, 2015. Remember that date. Because since that fateful day (according to my very haphazard calculations) the Birdos have belted 179 home runs, hitting forty-eight of the team's 2015 total 137 after that date and going on to mash 131 so far in the 2016 season.

Carlos Martinez has inspired his teammates to hit dingers by promising the reward that they can partake in the water cup celebration that follows - even Yadier Molina, said to be one to shy away from the water splash, seems to be really into it in the photo above.

Carlos is a genius.

Jedd Gyorko and the Cardinals Are Going Home-Run Crazy!!! | 101Sports.com

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