The St. Louis Cardinals have been floundering this season.

After a 10-24 start, they seemingly recovered, only to slip back to 11 games below the .500 mark.

Some of it has to do with the fact that injuries have been an issue for St. Louis.

However, they may soon be getting some reinforcements.

Outfielder Dylan Carlson and pitcher Jake Woodford have been out for the last month.

But according to John Denton of MLB.com, the two of them are making some important strides and could be back soon.

On Twitter, Denton listed some numbers from Woodford and Carlson’s rehab games and revealed that Carlson could be activated as soon as Friday night when the Cards take on the Cincinnati Reds.

In the @memphisredbirds 15-5 defeat of Durham last night, #STLCards RHP Jake Woodford made his third rehab start & allowed 1 ER on 5 hits & struck out 3 in 3+ IP.

Dylan Carlson played RF & went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI, a run scored & a walk. He could be activated today.

— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) June 9, 2023

Carlson sprained his ankle during the team’s game on May 14 against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

In his recent rehab appearance, he made the start in right field and went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI, a run scored, and a walk.

Woodford allowed one run on five hits over three innings and recorded three strikeouts.

If Carlson returns on Friday, the Cardinals may have a tough decision to make with Alec Burleson, Juan Yepez, and Luken Baker all with the big-league club.

More than likely, one of the three will be sent back down to Triple-A Memphis.

Woodford had been in the starting rotation to start the season thanks to Adam Wainwright’s groin injury.

He had struggled as a starter, but could be a valuable bullpen piece when he eventually returns.

The post The Cardinals May Be Getting Some Reinforcements Soon appeared first on The Cold Wire.

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The Tampa Bay Rays have been an exciting and interesting team to watch this season.

After winning their first 13 games of the season, the Rays found themselves at the top of the pack in the American League East.

As of now, they still own the best record in all of baseball at 46-19.

One of the main reasons they have been so successful is their baserunning.

The Rays have proven to be very skilled when it comes to stealing bases.

In fact, they’ve set a club record of 31 straight stolen base attempts without being caught.

That’s also the most since the Cleveland Indians stole 36 consecutive bases in 2021.

The @RaysBaseball have stolen 31 consecutive bases without being caught

That's the longest streak in franchise history and a league-best since Cleveland stole 36 in 2021. #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/BT1AawKWxg

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) June 9, 2023

This is a unique piece of history that the Rays have been chasing as of late.

With their 31 consecutive successful stolen base attempts, they have joined some elite company.

The Rays offense has been carrying them for much of the season, but baserunning is also a very important aspect of the game.

The Rays have seemingly perfected their technique and are proving to be a threat on the basepaths.

All it takes for them to pass the 2021 Indians record is six more successful consecutive stolen base attempts.

The Rays are also on a hot streak as of late.

They have won six consecutive games and have also won seven of their previous 10.

Tampa Bay also has a 6.5 game lead over the second-place Baltimore Orioles in the AL East.

Their baserunning has been a major key to their success as of late and is helping them win games.

The post The Rays Have Joined Elite Company appeared first on The Cold Wire.

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As sports evolve and change, one thing that because increasingly common is what is often referred to as “trash talk.”

It requires no introduction, nor an explanation.

It’s simply good-natured fun when two teams are playing each other and trying to get under each other’s skin.

Baseball hasn’t been like this very often, but as the game changes, it becomes more commonplace.

Some believe that baseball is a game of respect and trash talk should not be a part of it, while others wish there could be more of it.

On Thursday, Cleveland Guardians star and Rookie of the Year finalist Steven Kwan appeared on the podcast “Foul Territory,” and shared his thoughts on trash talk in baseball.

"I think the trash talking is good. I think it's fun for the game. I think there should be more of it."@CleGuardians' Steven Kwan on why he likes baseball trash talk and points out how it's normal in other sports like NBA/NFL https://t.co/P4R5aAWJf2 pic.twitter.com/lVBYo0pfiz

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) June 8, 2023

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Kwan stated that he believes trash talk is good for the game.

The Gold Glove outfielder noted that it’s more common in the NFL and NBA than it is in baseball.

He says that the reason it isn’t common in baseball is because players were taught that it was a “gentleman’s game.”

However, Kwan doesn’t believe that there is any ill will behind it.

In his mind, it’s just another layer of gamesmanship and adds a little extra fun to the sport.

Kwan also commented that there isn’t really a good argument for why trash talk doesn’t take place in baseball and believes that there should be more of it as the game evolves and changes.

The game is certainly changing, and the notion that baseball shouldn’t include trash talk is quickly being proven wrong.

The post Steven Kwan Shares His Thoughts On Trash Talk appeared first on The Cold Wire.

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