Looking Back At The Greatest Streak in Franchise History

The 17 game win streak by the St.Louis Cardinals marks the longest in franchise history.

What has been a miserable few months of the baseball season, followed by the most amazing 18 days of the St.Louis Cardinals history. On Sept. 7, the Cardinals were 3.5 games back for the second spot in the N.L. Wild Card. At 3.5 games back behind the Padres and Reds, the Cardinals had a 2.8% chance of making the playoffs.

The struggles of the bullpen, the inconsistent offense, had many fans checked out and frustrated with the team and organization. Many fans were calling for Mike Schildt to be fired, fans were afraid Nolan Arenado would opt out after this season, and all was not well in St.Louis.

The team never quit and never gave in. How many times this season have we heard Mike Schildt talk about how this team will turn it around? They did that in a very big way, starting with a series win against the Reds, taking the last two games in a three game series.

From there, the Cardinals would go on to sweep the Mets in a wild series in New York. From this series you may remember TJ McFarland getting a wild double play to end the 8th inning. The offense broke the final game open winning 11-4.

Then the team would return home to face the Padres in one of the most important series of the year. Game two of this series was the most critical when the team rallied from down two, and a Tyler O’Neill blast gave the Cardinals a 3-2 win. They would go on to sweep the Padres.

After the San Diego series, the Cardinals would return to American Family Field, where they dropped the last series, losing the Sunday finale on a walkoff grandslam by Daniel Vogelbach. This time around, the Cardinals would rush out to a 3-0 series lead in a four game set. Game four, going for their third straight sweep, the Cardinals trailed 5-0 after two innings of play. The rally would ensue and the Cardinals would go on to score 8 straight and sweep the Brewers.

Devil Magic

At this point the devil magic was in full effect as the Cardinals traveled south to face their rivals, the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs looked to play spoiler but the Cardinals continued to roll. Another wild double play was turned in Saturday’s game and the Cardinals rallied late Sunday to beat the Cubs and sweep their fourth straight series.

Heading into Tuesday’s game against the Brewers at home, the magic number was one. All it would take was a Cardinals victory, or a loss from both the Phillies and Reds. The trifecta happened, as the Cardinals would win 6-2 and celebration ensued.

For a team that was beyond frustrating to watch for most of the season, the last 18 days have been the most memorable in my fandom. This team has done a complete 180 and now they look to be a dangerous threat come playoffs.

They now have the opportunity to be a 90 win team, which seemed impossible at the start of the month. Announced today, manager Mike Schildt announced that Adam Wainwright would start the Wild Card game in either San Francisco or Los Angeles. For a team we wanted to count out a few weeks ago, next Wednesday will be a grueling but amazing three hours of baseball for Cardinal fans.

MLB Playoff Schedule for Wild Card and Divisional Series

Tuesday, Oct. 5
• AL Wild Card Game (ESPN)Wednesday, Oct. 6
• NL Wild Card Game (TBS)

DIVISION SERIES

Presented by Good Sam
Best-of-five
Thursday, Oct. 7
• ALDS A, Game 1 (FS1 or MLBN)
• ALDS B, Game 1 (FS1 or MLBN)

Friday, Oct. 8
• ALDS A, Game 2 (FS1 or MLBN)
• ALDS B, Game 2 (FS1 or MLBN)
• NLDS A, Game 1 (TBS)
• NLDS B, Game 1 (TBS)

Saturday, Oct. 9
• NLDS A, Game 2 (TBS)
• NLDS B, Game 2 (TBS)

Sunday, Oct. 10
• ALDS A, Game 3 (FS1 or MLBN)
• ALDS B, Game 3 (FS1 or MLBN)

Monday, Oct. 11
• ALDS A, Game 4* (FS1 or MLBN)
• ALDS B, Game 4* (FS1 or MLBN)
• NLDS A, Game 3 (TBS)
• NLDS B, Game 3 (TBS)

Tuesday, Oct. 12
• NLDS A, Game 4* (TBS)
• NLDS B, Game 4* (TBS)

Wednesday, Oct. 13
• ALDS A, Game 5* (FS1)
• ALDS B, Game 5* (FS1)

Thursday, Oct. 14
• NLDS A, Game 5* (TBS)
• NLDS B, Game 5* (TBS)