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| Every fifth day could be a nightmare for the Cards without No. 50. |
The St. Louis Cardinals now face an uphill battle in 2011.
After finding out ace Adam Wainwright will need his second Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ligament in his throwing elbow, the season ahead just got even more complicated.
The Cardinals, who are already having to face the fear of losing superstar first baseman Albert Pujols in the offseason to free agency, now, face another obstacle losing their ace for 12-15 months. Wainwright has been nothing short of spectacular since arriving to the show. The right-hander became the Cardinals closer in his rookie campaign, saving four of the five chances he was given in the postseason, not allowing an earned run and striking out 15, eventually leading St. Louis to the 2006 World Series crown.
After finding out ace Adam Wainwright will need his second Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ligament in his throwing elbow, the season ahead just got even more complicated.
The Cardinals, who are already having to face the fear of losing superstar first baseman Albert Pujols in the offseason to free agency, now, face another obstacle losing their ace for 12-15 months. Wainwright has been nothing short of spectacular since arriving to the show. The right-hander became the Cardinals closer in his rookie campaign, saving four of the five chances he was given in the postseason, not allowing an earned run and striking out 15, eventually leading St. Louis to the 2006 World Series crown.
He was transformed into a starter after the '06 season and won 14 games that season, throwing 202 innings. Since then Wainwright has turned in a legitimate front of the rotation starter reducing his earned run average every year in the big leagues.
Wainwright won 19 and 20 games, respectively in the last two seasons and finishing in top three of the Cy Young voting of each of those seasons.
There is no question that Wainwright's presence will be missed in '11 and add pressure to right arm of Chris Carpenter.
A former Cy Young Award winner, Carpenter is also considered to be an ace with some of the best stuff and command in baseball. The Cards will need another huge season from the three-time All-Star if they are to reach their ultimate goal.
Left-handed phenom Jamie Garica, who is coming off an unbelievable rookie season, will need to avoid a sophomore slump to fill the shoes that Wainwright has left. It's uncertain if they can be filled, but only time will tell. With manager Tony La Russa leading the way and the addition of Lance Berkman and Matt Holiday, who still has with six-years left on this current contract, the Cardinal offense should provide plenty of protection for "Fat Albert".
No matter what move the Cardinals decide to make none can replace a player the caliber of Waingwright. The road to dethrone the defending National League Central champion Cincinnati Reds just got a little more rocky.
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