The Run of '21 - MVP/Cy Young: The Case for Arenado and Waino

It's been dubbed "The Run of '21."

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The St. Louis Cardinals' incredible late season run continued Tuesday as they won their 17th game in a row, 6-2 over the Central Division Champion Brewers, and clinched the second wild-card spot for the post-season.

That means the Redbirds face a one-game playoff with whoever doesn't win the NL West (Los Angeles or San Francisco) on the road on October 6. After the Cardinals win that game, they would face the West Division winner in the Division Series.

Not to think ahead, but let me put this out there when it comes to the post season award season.

In my opinion, the last two weeks has brought two Cardinal names into serious discussion for post season accolades - Nolan Arenado for Most Valuable Player and Adam Wainwright for the Cy Young Award.

Like most of the Cardinal lineup, Arenado has caught fire down the stretch, hitting his 34th homer and driving in his 105th run in the win Tuesday over the Brewers. That, along with his defensive skills at third base, surely would make him an MVP contender.

And, what a story it would be if Adam Wainwright could win the Cy Young at age 40. He has the numbers - over 200 innings pitched, an ERA just over three, and 17 wins, second best in the National League. Plus, when things weren't going so well earlier in the season, how many times did Waino play the role of stopper, enabling the Cardinals to hang around until they caught fire.

But, we're getting ahead of ourselves. For now, let's sit back and continue to enjoy "The Run of '21."

LOOK: 50 images of winning moments from sports history

Sometimes images are the best way to honor the figures we've lost. When tragedy swiftly reminds us that sports are far from the most consequential thing in life, we can still look back on an athlete's winning moment that felt larger than life, remaining grateful for their sacrifice on the court and bringing joy to millions.

Read on to explore the full collection of 50 images Stacker compiled showcasing various iconic winning moments in sports history. Covering achievements from a multitude of sports, these images represent stunning personal achievements, team championships, and athletic perseverance.