For about eighteen hours the Cardinals were in a playoff spot - A Hunt and Peck

After a terrible June and beginning of July, the Cardinals made changes, replacing the field manager and hitting coach, cleared space for Harrison Bader to play (unfortunately at the cost of trading Tommy Pham), and totally redesigned the bullpen, replacing ineffective veterans with youngsters. Also in that time Matt Carpenter made salsa and transformed into the best hitter in the league.

The Cardinals find themselves in third place in the division after the Brewers salvaged a game against them this past weekend, but for a day they were in second. What once was a team scuffling for any sort of spark is now one of the hottest ones in the National League. So far in August, the Cardinals are 14-4 and have won seven straight series. Things are looking up and so is the team’s places in the standings.

It has been pretty fun.

what else is going on in baseball...

LLWS walk-off homer ends with epic bat flip | MLB.com

Who's leading the crowded NL MVP Award race? | MLB.com

Jurickson Profar Has Finally Arrived | FanGraphs Baseball

The Basepath Misadventures of Jose Pirela | FanGraphs Baseball

This nun threw out a first pitch so good she belongs in the majors | SBNation.com

Jose Ramirez’s MVP-type year: Indians 3B leading AL in homers & steals | SBNation.com

what the cardinals are up to...

From the Betting Window: With Brewers struggling, are Cards good bet in Game 2? | 101Sports.com

Cardinals Claw Their Way Back into Playoff Position 8.18.18 | Viva El Birdos

Cards bats shut down in 2-1 loss to the Brewers | Viva El Birdos

Jack Flaherty dominates Milwaukee in victory | St. Louis Cardinals

KNOW THINE ENEMY...

the los angeles dodgers

The Redisappearance of Matt Kemp | FanGraphs Baseball

Clayton Kershaw wins sixth game 12-1 over Mariners | True Blue LA

the nl central

Jon Lester beats Pirates; Ian Happ homers | Chicago Cubs

Anthony Rizzo stares down Pedro Strop | MLB.com

Pat, Casey Kelly exchanged mid-game salutes | MLB.com

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