Cardinals Offense Struggles During Day Games

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The St. Louis Cardinals have enjoyed a lot of success
 offensively this season.  But most of their damage has been
 done during night games.  Check out their putrid stats
 during day contests. - Photo courtesy of Getty Images
The St. Louis Cardinals have the top ranked offense in major league baseball.  The Cardinals lead all teams in runs scored with 207, hits with 390, RBI's with 204, and batting average at .284.

So it is safe to say that the Cardinals are an elite offensive ball club, just the way manager Tony La Russa likes it.

But, after Saturday's 7-3 loss to the Cincinnati Reds that saw the Cardinals scatter just four hits off of Reds starter Johnny Cueto, there is an interesting trend that is starting to rear its ugly head.

The Cardinals have trouble hitting during day games. 

The Cardinals have played 17 of their 40 games on the season during the afternoon sunlight and as a team are hitting a collective .243.  The team is averaging just 3.70 runs per game during day games while striking out 108 times in 563 at bats, or 19% of the time.  All of this could be cause for their 7-10 record during day games.

Compare that to games under the lights, where the Cardinals are a dominating 15-8 and are hitting a whopping .313 as a team.  They average 6.39 runs per game under the lights and have hit 25 of their 36 home runs on the season during night contests.  The Cardinals have struck out just 136 times out of 808 at bats, or 16.3% of the time, a 2.7% difference versus afternoon games.

So what gives?  Why the struggles during day games versus night games?  Is it a lack of focus and preparation? 

It is obvious that the Cardinals are aware of their struggles at the plate during games played under the sun.  Last Sunday, after the Cardinals 3-1 afternoon win over the Milwaukee Brewers, Colby Rasmus told Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that hitting during day games can be more difficult.


"In day games, it's tough to see the spin on the ball compared to night games," Rasmus said.


Rasmus is definitely a victim of the day versus night splits.  Rasmus is hitting an outstanding .323 during night games, but his average drops to a respectable .279 during day contests. 


Meanwhile the Cardinal that seems to have an overwhelming amount of success during night games compared to day games is Lance Berkman.  Berkman has taken 74 at bats during night games, hitting an incredible .405 with nine home runs and 28 RBI's.  But during early games in the afternoon, its a different story for Berkman, who has taken 43 at bats under the sun with a .233 average and just one home run.  


But the problem is not just with Rasmus or Berkman's hitting during day games.  Its the entire team.  Less guys are on base giving the Cardinals less opportunities to score runs, making it harder to win.  


Either way, the Cardinals definitely have the most explosive offense in major league baseball.  


And it will only get more explosive if they can figure out how to hit during day games.  Or we can just change the schedule and have the Cardinals play all of their games after 7 pm.  


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