The Cardinals saw off the Pirates 4:1 in a regular-season MLB encounter on Friday evening. It was a straightforward result, but the margin told you something about the evening. By then you start to notice patterns in these things.
The win keeps the Cardinals in the hunt, though the table doesn't shift dramatically after one game. What matters more is the sequence they've been in lately. Four runs is enough when the opposition isn't firing on all cylinders.
The hosts have been through a spell. Seven-five, seven-eight, one-thirteen, four-six, three-twelve — five games against Baltimore and Philadelphia and the results read like a rollercoaster. They're closing in on stability, or so you'd hope.
The Pirates came in off mixed results against San Diego and Los Angeles. Three-two, one-zero, three-two, then two losses. They found a way back into it early on, but that 4:1 score against the Cardinals suggests they switched off at the wrong moments.
And here's the thing — you don't need a full breakdown to see where this is heading. One team's been inconsistent, the other hasn't quite found their rhythm. The gap between them tonight could widen if neither adjusts.
