The Cardinals' Birthday Pitching Luck: A Magical Streak Continues
The Cardinals' magical streak continues, and it's all about birthdays and baseball. On Wednesday, the team's 26-year-old pitcher, McGreevy, led them to a 5-1 win over the Brewers, snapping a four-game losing streak and a seven-game skid against their NL Central rival. But what's truly fascinating is the team's record-breaking birthday pitching luck.
In my opinion, this streak is a testament to the power of positive thinking and the magic of baseball. It's a reminder that sometimes, in this sport, the little things can make a big difference. And what better way to celebrate a birthday than by winning a game?
The 13-game birthday winning streak is the longest in Major League history, and it's a record that's hard to ignore. It dates back to September 25, 2008, when Joel Piñeiro defeated the D-backs on his 30th birthday. Since then, Cardinals starters have won 13 straight games when taking the mound on their birthdays, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
What makes this particularly fascinating is the fact that McGreevy, who had never pitched on his birthday before, was able to settle in and pitch a solid 6 1/3 innings, allowing just one run on five hits. He struck out six and walked one, and his performance was a testament to his ability to handle pressure and deliver when it mattered most.
The Cardinals' manager, Oliver Marmol, praised McGreevy's performance, saying, 'He made pitches and then was able to settle in and did a really nice job in the way he used the sinker, that was a good pitch for him.'
But it wasn't all smooth sailing for McGreevy. In the fifth inning, Cooper Pratt's liner, which left his bat at 103 mph, hit McGreevy in the chest. Despite the scare, McGreevy recovered to throw out Pratt at first and even gave a rock and roll gesture with his hands as the training staff came out to check on him. It was a moment that showed his resilience and ability to handle unexpected challenges.
The last Cardinals starter to win on their birthday was Kwang Hyun Kim against the Cubs on July 22, 2021. And McGreevy, who made a career-high 18th start against the Brewers, was originally not scheduled to start on his birthday. But amid a flurry of moves with their pitching staff, McGreevy's start was moved back a day to give him extra rest around the upcoming All-Star break.
Marmol said, 'It's good to listen to your players and how they're feeling. At times, it doesn't feel great based on what happened yesterday. But you get a guy that's rested, and gives you a really good outing today and did exactly what we needed to save that 'pen. So I'm glad we were able to stick to what we said we were going to do, give him the extra day, and he did a nice job of picking us up.'
The Cardinals' birthday pitching luck is a reminder that sometimes, in baseball, the little things can make a big difference. It's a testament to the power of positive thinking and the magic of the sport. And as McGreevy quipped, 'I need every day to be my birthday.'
The team's success on their birthdays is a fascinating phenomenon that has captured the attention of fans and analysts alike. It's a story that continues to unfold, and one that will surely be remembered for years to come.
