The St. Louis Cardinals are 47-41 on the season which has them in 2nd place in the N.L. Central, 1 game behind the Reds. The Cardinals have had a few surprises and some disappointments in the first half of 2010 and here’s a closer look at them:

Pleasant Surprises: 23-year old rookie lefty starting pitcher Jaime Garcia has burst onto the scene this season for the Cardinals. He has started 17 games for the Cardinals this year and he is 8-4 with a 2.17 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. 28-year old righty reliever Jason Motte is trying to make up for 2009 this year. He has pitched in 38 games (0 starts) for the Cardinals this year and he is 3-2 with a 2.27 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. 26-year old Mitchell Boggs has really turned into a solid relief pitcher for the Cardinals in 2010. He has pitched in 35 games (0 starts) for the Cardinals this year and he is 1-2 with a 2.54 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. Rookie 25-year old lefty swinging outfielder Jon Jay has been outstanding this season for the Cardinals. He has played in 34 games for the Cardinals this year and he is 26 of 69 (.377 avg, .989 OPS) with 12 runs scored, 3 homers and 9 RBIs.

Disappointments: 28-year old shortstop Brendan Ryan was outstanding in 2009 but he has been pathetic in 2010. Ryan has played in 72 games this season for the Cardinals and he is 42 of 217 (.194 avg, .547 OPS) with 20 runs scored, 2 homers, 16 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. 32-year old starting pitcher Brad Penny has been banged up this season. He has started 9 games for the Cardinals this year and he is 3-4 with a 3.23 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. The only disappointment with Penny is his health. 31-year old Kyle Lohse is a different situation despite his injury. He has started 9 games for the Cardinals this season and he is 1-4 with a 5.89 ERA and a 1.71 WHIP.

The Cardinals are 8-4 on the season so far as they are in first place in the N.L. Central, 1 game ahead of the Pirates. The Cardinals have outscored opponents 55-38 this season as they are hitting the ball well and they are pitching well which is a good combo. The Cardinals take to the road this week with 3 games in Arizona followed by 3 games in San Francisco. Those are two pretty good teams who will give the Cardinals a good test this week.

The Cardinals are 4-2 to start the season which has them in first place in the N.L. Central one game ahead of the Pirates, Reds and Brewers. The Cardinals have really been hitting the ball well as they have outscored the opposition 37-24 so far this season. When the pitching catches up with the hitting the Cardinals are really going to get on a roll. The Cardinals play six games at home this week against the Astros and Mets. Look for the Cards to have a good week.

The Cardinals have gotten off to a 3-1 start to the season as they have outscored the opposition 23-15. The Cardinals are getting great starting pitching so far this season as the starters are a combined 2-0 with a 3.12 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. The only thing I could see giving the Cardinals problems this year is maybe the bullpen but they are going to be a really good ball team in 2010.

Adam Wainwright had a rough time in the first half of the season as he was converted back into a starting pitcher.  But, if the second half of the season Wainwright has been one of the best pitchers in all of baseball.  In 12 starts after the All-Star Game, Wainwright is 6-4 with a 2.49 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP.  In 79.2 innings in the 2nd half of the season, Wainwright has allowed 77 hits, walked 23 batters and whiffed 61.  Wainwright has now started 29 games on the season and he is 13-11 with a 3.71 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP.  The Cardinals have lost 9 of their last 10 games pretty much ending all hopes of creeping into the playoffs to defend their World Series Championship of 2006.  The Cardinals are now 70-80 which has them in 3rd place in the National League Central, 8 games behind the Cubs and Brewers.