Appreciating Adam Wainwright’s Spot-On Optimism
When Adam Wainwright tweeted on May 4 that the Cardinals might not be as bad as people thought, most fans probably rolled their eyes. At the time, it seemed like just another dose of Waino’s trademark positivity.
That same day, the Cardinals had just swept a doubleheader against the Mets — a highlight in an otherwise sluggish start to the season. Even after those wins, they were still just 16-19, sitting in fourth place in the NL Central and owning one of the worst records in the National League.
But since that tweet? St. Louis has gone on an 11-2 tear, proving that Wainwright might’ve seen something the rest of us missed.
Admittedly, many of us were skeptical. Despite the brief spark, the team’s April was rough — the bullpen looked shaky, and young talents like Jordan Walker and Nolan Gorman weren’t delivering. A hot streak seemed unlikely.
Yet Wainwright was onto something. The Cardinals didn’t make major roster changes, but subtle adjustments to the bullpen and lineup have turned things around. They’re winning consistently — at home and on the road — and doing it in different ways, whether it’s a high-scoring game or a tight 1-0 battle.
Strong defense, an improving rotation, and a now-reliable bullpen have all played key roles. Matthew Liberatore is emerging as a top-tier arm, and Ivan Herrera’s bat is drawing comparisons to a young Albert Pujols.
Of course, there are questions ahead: Will the pitching hold up? Can Herrera sustain this pace? Will the Cubs take control of the division down the stretch?
Possibly. But right now, the Cardinals have transformed what looked like a lost season into one filled with hope and excitement. With rising stars like Victor Scott II and Liberatore showing promise, a healthy Lars Nootbaar, and Brendan Donovan producing at an All-Star level, the future suddenly feels a lot brighter.
I’ve always worn my Cardinals pride on my sleeve, but I’ll admit I came into this season with a heavy dose of doubt. As of now, that doubt looks misplaced. Wainwright’s belief in this team wasn’t just wishful thinking — it was spot-on.
Cardinals baseball is fun again.
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