Red-Hot Cardinals Surge Up MLB Power Rankings

“With a 12-2 record in their last 14 games, the Cardinals have gone from a complete afterthought sitting five games below .500 to a legitimate playoff contender and the biggest threat to the Cubs in the NL Central race,” MLB writer Joel Reuter wrote.

“Breakout performances from Matthew Liberatore (9 GS, 2.92 ERA, 52.1 IP) in the rotation and Kyle Leahy (20 G, 10 HLD, 1.01 ERA) in the bullpen have given the pitching staff a huge boost.”

Bleacher Report wasn’t the only site where the Cardinals made a big jump either. Here’s where some other publications have them ranked:

• CBS Sports: No. 11 (up one spot)
• The Athletic: No. 11 (up six spots)
• Yahoo Sports: No. 12 (up one spot)
• MLB.com: No. 12 (up five spots)

Iván Herrera has been the Cardinals’ best hitter since returning from the IL. He’s slashing .500/.552/.731 in his last seven games and has an OPS of 1.299 for the year.

In addition to guys like Lars Nootbaar, Brendan Donovan and Willson Contreras continuing their stellar years at the plate, Masyn Winn and Alec Burleson have been hot lately as well.

Burleson is slashing .444/.500/.833 over his last seven games, and Winn has an OPS of .948 since being moved up to the second spot in the lineup.

The real difference maker for the Cardinals during this hot stretch, though, has been the pitching. Over the last 15 games, where they are 13-2, Cardinals starting pitchers have a combined ERA of 2.62.

The bullpen has been lights-out too, posting a combined ERA of 1.62 during this 15-game stretch. Three standout relievers have been Ryan Helsley, Kyle Leahy and JoJo Romero, who have not allowed a single run in their last combined 18 innings pitched.

Tonight, the Cardinals will look to secure a series win over the Tigers, who own an MLB-best record of 31-17.