The St. Louis Cardinals had an interesting week. They had a lot of offense. They saw some great starts on the mound, as well as some not-so-great ones. It was a week of highs and lows, so it makes sense the team exits the week after a 3-3 record. They took two of three from the San Diego Padres, then lost two of three to the Kansas City Royals. Now that this week is over, on this Father’s Day, it is time once again to identify the Cardinals’ standouts from this past week.
Cardinals’ Standouts of the Week
Standout #3- Lars Nootbaar
Lars Nootbaar returned on June 5th, offering some stability to a lineup that was in need of it. The outfielder has been an asset in the middle of the order, batting .267 with two home runs and driving in six runs. Since his return, the Cardinals have averaged just over six runs a game in the 15 games they have played.
This past week, Nootbaar played in five of the Cardinals’ six games. He recorded seven hits. He only drove in two runs, but he consistently got on base. Furthermore, he delivered a big hit in a five-run first inning for the Cardinals on Sunday.
Nootbaar’s role in the offense makes him a clear candidate for this Cardinals’ standouts’ installment. Furthermore, it makes him an interesting person to look at as we get closer and closer to the trade deadline.
Standout #2- JJ Wetherholt
JJ Wetherholt should be the favorite to win the National League Rookie of the Year at the moment. He continues to be the catalyst at the top of the Cardinals’ lineup. He currently ranks third among rookies with 74 hits and is tied for fourth with 12 home runs. The Cardinals have not had a Rookie of the Year winner since Albert Pujols in 2001. It would be a great sign for the team’s future if Wetherholt is able to win the award this season. Of course, there is still plenty of season left.
Wetherholt had a busy week. He recorded 10 hits and four RBI. He saved his best for the final game of the week, a two-home run game against the Royals, including a lead-off home run.
Standout #1- Dustin May
No pitcher in Cardinals’ history has ever thrown a perfect game. The last Cardinal to throw a no-hitter was Bud Smith in 2001. Dustin May nearly did both this past Monday, more than earning him the top spot on this week’s Cardinals’ standouts.
On Monday against the Padres, May faced the minimum 27 batters. He only allowed two base runners, a walk and a hit, both coming in the seventh inning. May flirted with history, but even when history was no longer possible, he stayed with it and threw a one-hit shutout, giving Cardinal Nation plenty to cheer about in Busch Stadium.
May’s next start came on Sunday. Well, it did not go quite as well as Monday. May only lasted two innings, giving up six runs. It was his first start giving up more than three runs since April 21st. Sunday was likely just a blip on the radar for May. He was certainly not the only pitcher to struggle in a game that ended with a 12-10 score.
The better May pitches, the higher his value rises as we approach the trade deadline. However, it also raises the question of whether the Cardinals should keep him. The Cardinals did not expect to be in a contending position, but May is a reason they are. Chaim Bloom certainly has some decisions to make in the coming month.
The Week Ahead
The Cardinals will return home and welcome back Nolan Arenado to Busch Stadium for the first time since his trade to the Arizona Diamondbacks. After that, the Cardinals will welcome the Miami Marlins to town for a weekend series.
Be sure to tune in this time next week for the latest installment of Cardinals’ standouts. Also, do not forget to keep voting so we can send as many Cardinals to the All-Star Game as possible!
Main Photo: Jeff Curry- Imagn Images
