Cardinals set new RISP mark

ST. LOUIS -- The Cardinals concluded the 2013 regular season by setting a new standard for average with runners in scoring position.

Their .330 mark (447-for-1,355) is the best in the Majors in at least the last 40 years, eclipsing the 2007 Tigers and the 1996 Rockies -- who set the previous high at .311.

"That's been our trademark all season," said Matt Carpenter. "... We've done a great job with that, top to bottom, all of our lineup has done really well. It's been something that we did an amazing job all year with. Hopefully, we'll keep that going this postseason."

The Cardinals landed five players among the top six hitters with runners in scoring position. Allen Craig, who hasn't played since Sept. 4 due to a sprained left foot, finished the season hitting .454 with runners in scoring position. In the last 40 years, only George Brett (.469 in 1980) and Tony Gwynn (.459 in '97) finished with better marks than Craig.

Atlanta's Freddie Freeman (.443) finished second, while Matt Holliday (.390), Carpenter (.388), Carlos Beltran (.374) and Yadier Molina (.373) rounded out the top six.