The Importance of Ryan Ludwick

Is it a coincidence that just as Ryan Ludwick went down with an injury at Pittsburgh, the Cardinal offense began to struggle? Is it a chance happening that while Ludwick struggled once coming off the disabled list, the Cardinal bats were quiet? Finally, is it pure luck that as soon as Ludwick began to find his stroke, the Cardinals finally began to churn out runs again? The correct answer is a resounding 'no', it's not luck. Ryan Ludwick is vital to the Cardinal lineup, in some ways perhaps more than Albert Pujols. Teams simply can walk Albert, but for much of this season, there hasn't been a cleanup batter to make the opposing team pay. In the past ten games, Ludwick has found his groove, raising his batting average 18 points, up to .251. In those 10 games, the Cards are 7-3 while scoring 5.1 runs per game. Scoring five runs a game should wins you a lot of ballgames, especially when you have perhaps the best pitching staff in the National League. Not only is the Car...