Ludwick Key To Second Half Success

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  The Cardinals fate in the second half of the season rest with several players, but perhaps none more so than Ryan Ludwick.  The former all-star outfielder needs to be a consistent contributor for this club to maintain its lead in the National League Central.

  And Ludwick's final 15-games of the first half of the season gives even though most negative of Cardinal fans hope.  He hit .400 over the final 15-games, with 4 home runs and 18 RBI's.

  That hot streak by Ludwick was punctuated by a National League co-player of the week award for the week ending July 12th.  STATS LLC with great numbers on how that final week leading up to the all-star break went for Ludwick:

* Ryan Ludwick has been on an RBI tear, driving in 15 runs his last seven games – the third-highest total in the NL over a seven-game span.

Most RBI Over a Seven-Game Span, NL 2009

Hanley Ramirez, Fla      6/21 - 6/28       17

Jorge Cantu, Fla          4/25 – 5/01       16

Brandon Phillips, Cin   5/05 – 5/13       15

Ryan Ludwick, Stl      7/07 – 7/12   15**ACTIVE

Raul Ibanez, Phi          5/15 – 5/21       14

Derrek Lee, Chi           7/01 – 7/07       14