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Tuesday, June 26, 2012

St. Louis Cardinals Have a Huge Opportunity Before All Star Break - Bleacher Report

The St. Louis Cardinals, on the heels of a three-game offensive explosion sweep of the Kansas City Royals, have a huge opportunity over the next two weeks.

A team that in the last month has been squashed by the Atlanta Braves (38-34), New York Mets (39-35), Cleveland Indians (37-35), Chicago White Sox (38-35) and the under-rated Detroit Tigers (36-37). Despite the Cardinals' obvious struggles, the lineup for the last month has been a tough one.

Over the next two weeks, however, the Cardinals have an opportunity to make up lost ground in the National League Central Division.

It's not going to be a pushover, but it is a chance to make up some ground. If the team can keep it's momentum going, being in first place at the All-Star break wouldn't be a stretch of the imagination.

1. 6 Games Against the Miami Marlins

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Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

The Cardinals will face the struggling Miami Marlins (34-39) for six games over the next two weeks.

The Marlins are a good team, but over the last two weeks they are 3-9. This is the kind of opportunity the Cardinals need to take advantage of if they want to be successful in 2012.

The Marlins will be facing Jake Westbrook, Kyle Lohse and rookie RHP Joe Kelly, but the odds still favor the Cardinals in the matchups.

2. 4 Games Against the Colorado Rockies

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Ed Zurga/Getty Images

The Cardinals will play four games at Busch Stadium against the faltering Colorado Rockies (28-44).

The Cardinals will throw Adam Wainwright, Lance Lynn and Jake Westbrook against a Rockies team that is still having trouble playing getting their season on track.

It should be remembered, however, that the Rockies play in a tough division. Regardless, there is no reason to believe the Cardinals can't take command of the series.

3. 3 Games Against the Pittsburgh Pirates

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Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

The most telling matchup of the period should be a three-game series where the Pittsburgh Pirates come to St. Louis for three games this weekend.

Despite the Pirates' recent success, the Cardinals have fared well against their NL Central counterparts in 2012.

In two series' this seasons, the Cardinals are 4-2, winning both series 2-1.

With that being said, the Pirates have improved considerably since the two teams last met on May 3. If the Cardinals can take that series, it would work wonders for their standing in the division.

4. Pirates Are the Biggest Threat Before the Break

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Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

Another important point,is that for the next two weeks, the Pirates will likely be their biggest threat in the division as well.

The team ended last week on fire as they surrendered only 10 runs in six games and going 4-2 on the week.

Many believe the Pirates will fall off by the second half of the season, but don't underestimate their ability to hang on to one of the division's top three spots.

5. Cincinnati Has a Tough 2 Week Schedule

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Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

The Cincinnati Reds are coming off of a bad week that resulted in them having a lot more company at the top of the division standings.

Last week the Reds were 1-5 and gave up 30 runs over those six games.

Things aren't going to get any easier for them in the near future as their schedule before the break is much tougher than that of either the Cardinals or Pirates.

The Reds will be heading to the west coast where they will place the first place Los Angeles Dodgers and the second place San Francisco Giants. If the Reds plan to hold onto their NL Central lead, they are going to have to get hot...soon.

6. After the Break, Cardinals Will Play in Division

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Ed Zurga/Getty Images

The Cardinals will return from the All-Star break with four of the following five series against NL Central opponents.

The team will face the Reds, Milwaukee Brewers and has two series against the Chicago Cubs.

The last three weeks of July will give the Cardinals a chance to come back and pull away. The question is, will they be able to make that happen?

If this past weekend turns into a trend, it would be a huge boost for the Cardinals so that they could be the chas-ee instead of the chaser.

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