Throughout the last three years, the Cardinals have been struck with injuries come Spring Training, and this year is no different. The Cardinals will be without veterans Chris Carpenter and Rafael Furcal due to injury, not to mention closer Jason Motte possibly undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery. Despite these injuries, the Cardinals have showed poise with the help of their young stars. The last two years, they have stumbled into the playoffs only to make a championship run in 2011, and one win away from the National League pennant in 2012. The Cardinals will need help from the young players once again. Pitching prospect Shelby Miller will be the fifth starting pitcher due to the departure of Kyle Lohse and the injury of Carpenter. Miller is one of the best prospects in the game, and his rookie campaign will be a determining factor in the Cards’ success. Also, infielder Matt Carpenter will see a larger role without Furcal in the lineup. He has worked at second base this spring, a position the Cardinals are very thin at. Hopefully Carpenter can add another big bat to the lineup without hurting the team defensively. A third prospect that will have an impact in 2013 is pitcher Trevor Rosenthal. Rosenthal should be able to fill the spot of Motte in the bullpen. He was a weapon last year in the playoffs, reaching speeds of 101 mph. The Cardinals have been dealing with injuries to key players for the last three years, and I don’t see any reason that will change this year.
Prediction: 88-74; Second Wild Card Spot
