Following frustration and flawed fundamentals and fan angst, they will, finally, return to first place.
Same can鈥檛 be said for the Cubs鈥 division rival in St. 不良研究所导航网址.
Yes, the Cardinals seem headed for second place 鈥 a 鈥渟ilver鈥 for a team with a couple potential Silver Sluggers but pitchers with silver slivers in their hair. Now, the silver lining is that the Cardinals could be good enough to snatch a wild-card spot. We鈥檒l see.
But as the 2024 season begins Thursday in Los Angeles, and all the offseason and spring roster moves are complete, the reality is that the Cards did some good things to jump from 71 wins to, say, 86 wins 鈥 but not enough, I think, to stave off the Cubs.
Here in St. 不良研究所导航网址, every season is a big season because the stakes are always high for a time-honored team with a fan base that exceeds three million in attendance annually. But 2024 is actually an even bigger season than your usual big season, if that's possible. They鈥檙e now past a decade since their last NL pennant. And last season was so abysmal, there is additional pressure to return to competitiveness and, of course, the postseason. Unfortunately for the fans, the latter isn鈥檛 a given.
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The good news, if anything, is that the Cards-Cubs rivalry should return to relevant baseball. Last year鈥檚 London Series was a jolly good time, and there have been a few thrilling games in recent seasons 鈥 but this is the first time in a while that a case can be made for both the Cards and the Cubs to win the Central Division.
And here鈥檚 thinking this will be a pretty fun season, in the sense that the Cards will at least be in the hunt for first place (instead of last year, when it was a dubious battle for last place). But I don鈥檛 see a one-season jump from 71 wins to 91 ... or 101 ... or anything that resembles the best of the recent decades鈥 dominance.
The Cardinals鈥 rotation of 30-somethings will eat innings. And that鈥檚 a great thing because it keeps the bullpen fresher and, inevitably, means the team is either winning or still in the game if the starter is still in the game by the sixth or seventh.
But there will be runs. Inevitably scored by both teams.
When you look at the St. 不良研究所导航网址 rotation, Miles Mikolas, Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson seem destined for high ERAs. Last season, all three finished below the threshold of 鈥渁verage鈥 in the stat called ERA+, which is respected and relevant because it鈥檚 adjusted based on ballparks in which a pitcher is playing. But the 2024 Cards hitters will mash as if they鈥檙e consistently facing, well, the Cards rotation.
This lineup 鈥 even without the injured Lars Nootbaar, Tommy Edman and Dylan Carlson 鈥 has a beautiful blend. At the top, Brendan Donovan will get on base a bunch, be it by walks, hits or a being a hit batsman. Within the heart of the lineup are five 鈥 yes, five 鈥 Cardinals who I believe will hit 20 or more homers: Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Gorman, Nolan Arenado, Willson Contreras and Jordan Walker, whose speed very well could make him just the seventh 20-20 player in franchise history. And of course, his fellow college-aged speedsters Masyn Winn and Victor Scott II will steal bases at a high clip (with the caveat of them needing to get on base in the first place).
Both the shortstop Winn and the center fielder Scott will enhance the St. 不良研究所导航网址 defense, which last season was offensive. The best Cardinals clubs seem to have multiple players in Gold Glove seasons. Arenado, knowing Arenado, will be back in the mix this year at third. And Donovan and Edman have both earned honors in recent seasons.
Now, my favorite baseball quote comes from the old manager Bob Lemon: 鈥淭he two-most important things in life are good friends and a strong bullpen.鈥
Per FanGraphs, the Cardinals project to have the ninth-best bullpen in baseball. Much of this will be predicated on health and rest, the latter affected by the prowess of the starters. The Cardinals wisely acquired guys with swing-and-miss stuff, notably the intriguing Riley O鈥橞rien. And Ryan Helsley is healthy. I鈥檓 most worried about Giovanny Gallegos, who has fared well overall in his St. 不良研究所导航网址 tenure but last year had six blown saves, a 4.42 ERA last year and a, 8.10 ERA in August and September (though, other key Cardinals also tailed off statistically once the trade deadline passed).
As for the Cubs, many stat sites project them to finish within a game or two of the Cardinals. Justin Steele is legit. Last year, he went 16-5 with a 3.06 ERA and a 3.02 FIP (fielding independent pitching), which was second-best in the National League to Atlanta鈥檚 Spencer Strider. And Steele finished first in the National League with the fewest home runs allowed per nine innings (0.7). It鈥檒l be interesting to see how new teammate Shota Imanaga does with allowing the long ball. He鈥檚 throwing in confines that can prove unfriendly to fly-ball pitchers. But overall, Imanaga was a great get 鈥 the Cubs have their two for Games 1-2 of the postseason.
When Sonny Gray is healthy, the Cardinals have their No. 1. But who is No. 2?
In the NL Central, No. 2 is St. 不良研究所导航网址. And even in a down year for the division, the Cardinals aren鈥檛 the favorites in my eyes.
Besieged by injuries and beset by a agitated fanbase, the Cardinals open their 2024 season against baseball's billion-dollar blockbuster, LA's "galaxy of stars."
Cardinals 2024 season preview: Will they reclaim their status as contenders?
The St. 不良研究所导航网址 Cardinals season begins on March 28 with a game at the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Post-Dispatch beat writers and columnists take a look at the 2024 season.
Turns out, even with three new starters, there is one solution after all to fix everything. Good old-fashioned winning.
This look at the Cardinals players, by position, covers the best-laid plans, and where things can go awry.
A hamstring injury may have delayed the Hollywood premiere of the Cardinals' first imported ace in a generation, but he's already established a presence.
The Cardinals typically stellar defense took a step backward in 2023. Improving that side of things was a focus this winter and spring.
Nolan Gorman, Nolan Arenado, Paul Goldschmidt, Willson Contreras and Jordan Walker. Calling it now 鈥 each of these players will hit 20 or more home runs.
From the owner's box to the last man on the roster, the 2024 Cardinals are going to need leadership in action at all levels.
They will join returnees Al Hrabosky, Ricky Horton, Brad Thompson and Jim Edmonds in the rotation of Bally Sports Midwest studio commentators.
The pitching depth within the Cardinals farm system has a new look. But what can be expected of it when innings are needed in 2024?
Here's a look at the 2024 Dispatch Dozen, the Post-Dispatch's ranking of the top 12 Cardinals prospects.
The Cardinals have released their opening day roster. Changes include adding Victor Scott II officially and additions to the injured list.
The best rotations have standouts at No. 1 and No. 2 (at least), hog innings and aren't well-rounded. They鈥檙e well-lopsided.
Here's how the Cardinals fared in terms of defensive runs saved, position by position, in 2023.
Not all No. 1 starters are aces. That is another level of starter, one forged through seasons of success and often asserted in October.