CHICAGO -- St. Louis looks ready to add the one weapon often missing from its small ball arsenal.
The Cardinals have no problem beating teams with singles and doubles, and they've finished in the top eight in Major League Baseball in sacrifice bunts in seven of the last eight seasons. But St. Louis added speed to the equation in Sunday's 3-0 win over the Chicago Cubs, stealing four bases in a game for the first time since 2012.
"I think we're going to be opportunistic and we're going to be aggressive," manager Mike Matheny says. "We've got a few guys that have the ability, too. They're prepared and they're looking for it."
That's a departure from the last two seasons, when St. Louis failed to reach a mere 60 stolen bases, ranking 28th in MLB in 2014 and 29th in 2013. It would have been even worse without the emergence last season of Kolten Wong, who stole 20 bases, making him the first Cardinal to steal at least that many since Cesar Izturis swiped 24 bags in 2008.
Wong figures to play more at second base this year provided he can hit a little more consistently, and the 24-year-old recorded his 24th career stolen base in the fourth inning Sunday night. He's eager to take advantage of a green light from his manager and has the speed to terrorize pitchers on the basepaths.
"When you put pressure on anybody it's hard, and that's what we're doing," Wong says. "We put pressure on the catchers and try to make them throw us out."
Chicago's David Ross successfully gunned down Matt Carpenter in the second inning, but mistakes would be more common for the Cubs' catchers. Ross' throwing error allowed Wong to move to third after his stolen base, and pinch runner Peter Bourjos did the same on catcher Miguel Montero's throwing error in the ninth.
Bourjos poses the team's best speed threat off the bench, and St. Louis made a big upgrade in its starting outfield. Right fielder Jason Heyward's greatest asset may be better hitting and power, but it's clear his speed could make a key difference as well.
His aggressiveness out of the box led to a double and a run in the first inning, thanks to an RBI single by Matt Holliday. Heyward stole his first base when he took third on a double steal in the fifth, and he's a serious threat to steal 20 bases for the third time in four seasons.
"If the game calls for a situation where you can grab a bag, get it," Heyward says. "I'm not ever going to look to sit still."
That kind of mentality can spread through a clubhouse, and even Holliday got in on the fun with a heads-up play to take second on the double steal behind Heyward. Perhaps the Cardinals can also get more from center fielder Jon Jay, who stole only six bases last year after getting 19 in 2012 and 10 in 2013.
Still, no amount of speed can make up for a lack of power, something the Cardinals hope to fix with the continued development of young players and the addition of Heyward, Mark Reynolds and Randal Grichuk. St. Louis ranked last in the National League with 105 home runs last season, a much more concerning problem than a lack of stolen bases.
"It certainly changes the look of our club," general manager John Mozeliak says of the bigger bats on the roster. "I can't recall in recent years that we've had that power opportunity that we now have."
The same could be said for the new speed in the lineup, and the Cardinals plan to take advantage of both.
You can follow Luke Thompson on Twitter at @FS_LukeT or email him at lukegthompson87@gmail.com.
