CINCINNATI • There are times, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny confessed recently, when he does not know his team’s record or how many games they have as a gap in the National League Central. That’s not because he’s playing coy or that he takes 50 wins and being, at times, 25 games over .500 for granted. It’s just not how he measures wins and losses.
His view is more granular than the standings.
Before a team can conquer a season, take a series, or even claim a game, Matheny has made his message as a manager, they have to win the moment.