The Cardinals missed the postseason for the third straight season after finishing 2025 with a 78-84 record.

St. Louis had a slow start to 2025 but rebounded in May, finishing the month with a 19-7 record, putting them at 33-25 through 58 games. They also went on a nine-game winning streak that month. Things went downhill after they posted an 8-16 record in July, resulting in them playing .500 ball for the remainder of the season, as shown below. The pitching staff recorded an ERA over seven in July 2025, the offense struggled to score runs, and a tough divisional schedule was the main culprit for their downward spiral.

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Reliever Ryan Helsley was traded to the Mets on July 30, 2025, for Jesus Baez, Nate Dohm and Frank Elissalt. Helsley struggled in New York, as he blew four saves and posted a 10.38 ERA in August. Helsley would later sign a one-year deal with the Orioles in the offseason.

Injuries to Brendan Donovan, Victor Scott II and Nolan Gorman also affected St. Louis’s play throughout the season because these players are quality bats that can put the ball in play.

Their offense ranked 17th in the majors with a .245 batting average, and they also hit 148 home runs and recorded 653 RBIs last season. St. Louis’s pitching ranked 21st in the majors in ERA with a 4.29 ERA. The staff struck out 1,209 batters and gave up 1,434 hits.

Catcher Willson Contreras led the Cardinals in home runs with 20 and batted in 80 runners last season – the veteran catcher also recorded 126 hits on a .257 batting average. Nolan Arenado ended his final season in St. Louis by posting a .237 batting average and 95 hits. Alec Burleson hit .290 last season, the best on the team and recorded 69 RBIs. Outfielder Lars Nootbaar recorded 119 hits in 509 at-bats and maintained a .234 batting average. Sonny Gray posted a 14-8 record last season, maintaining a 4.28 ERA in 32 starts while striking out 201 batters.

Arenado was traded to the Diamondbacks on January 13, 2026, for cash considerations and pitcher Jack Martinez, followed by Ryne Stanek’s signing the same day. The Cardinals re-signed numerous players from last season, including Nootbaar, Gorman, Donovan and Andrew Pallante. Infielder Ramón Urías signed a one-year contract in February, while manager Oliver Marmol received a two-year extension.

Expectations aren’t high in St. Louis for 2026 as they are building for the future. Led by a young core consisting of Masyn Winn, Jordan Walker, Scott II and Gorman, the Cardinals are expecting them to produce at consistent levels. Pitching is a glaring hole because Gray departed for the Red Sox, leaving the staff with pitchers vying for a chance. FanGraphs projects the Cardinals to finish with a 75-87 record in 2026.

St. Louis Cardinals schedule:

Mar 26, 2026	vs Tampa Bay	W 9-7	1-0	R. O’Brien(1-0)	G. Cleavinger(0-1)	R. Stanek(1)
Mar 28, 2026	vs Tampa Bay	W 6-5 / 10	2-0	R. Stanek(1-0)	G. Jax(0-1)	—
Mar 29, 2026	vs Tampa Bay	L 11-7	2-1	S. Matz(1-0)	D. May(0-1)	—
Mar 30, 2026	vs N.Y. Mets	L 4-2	2-2	C. Holmes(1-0)	K. Leahy(0-1)	D. Williams(1)

DATE	OPP	TIME / TV	VENUE	HOME STARTER	AWAY STARTER	BUY TICKETS
Mar 31, 2026	vs N.Y. Mets	7:45 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	A. Pallante(-, 0.00 ERA)	K. Senga(-, 0.00 ERA)	Tickets Starting at $12.00
Apr 1, 2026	vs N.Y. Mets	1:15 pm CATV	Busch Stadium	M. Liberatore (0-0, 1.80 ERA)	F. Peralta(1-0, 7.20 ERA)	Tickets Starting at $12.60
Apr 3, 2026	@ Detroit	1:10 pmCATV	Comerica Park	F. Valdez(0-0, 1.50 ERA)	M. McGreevy(0-0, 0.00 ERA)	Tickets Starting at $138.00
Apr 4, 2026	@ Detroit	1:10 pmCATV	Comerica Park	J. Flaherty(0-1, 4.15 ERA)	D. May(0-1, 13.50 ERA)	Tickets Starting at $25.20
Apr 5, 2026	@ Detroit	7:20 pmPEAC	Comerica Park	J. Verlander(0-1, 12.27 ERA)	K. Leahy(0-1, 7.20 ERA)	Tickets Starting at $19.20
Apr 6, 2026	@ Washington	6:45 pmCATV	Nationals Park	Z. Littell(-, 0.00 ERA)	A. Pallante(-, 0.00 ERA)	Tickets Starting at $12.00
Apr 7, 2026	@ Washington	6:45 pmCATV	Nationals Park	C. Cavalli(0-0, 4.91 ERA)	M. Liberatore(0-0, 1.80 ERA)	Tickets Starting at $18.00
Apr 8, 2026	@ Washington	4:05 pm CATV	Nationals Park	M. Mikolas(0-1, 7.20 ERA)	M. McGreevy(0-0, 0.00 ERA)	Tickets Starting at $12.00
Apr 10, 2026	vs Boston	8:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	D. May(0-1, 13.50 ERA)	C. Early(0-0, 1.69 ERA)	Tickets Starting at $18.62
Apr 11, 2026	vs Boston	7:15 pmFOX	Busch Stadium	K. Leahy(0-1, 7.20 ERA)	R. Suarez(0-1, 8.31 ERA)	Tickets Starting at $33.60
Apr 12, 2026	vs Boston	2:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	A. Pallante(-, 0.00 ERA)	B. Bello(-, 0.00 ERA)	Tickets Starting at $19.20
Apr 13, 2026	vs Cleveland	7:45 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	M. Liberatore(0-0, 1.80 ERA)	G. Williams(0-1, 5.40 ERA)	Tickets Starting at $13.20
Apr 14, 2026	vs Cleveland	7:45 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	M. McGreevy(0-0, 0.00 ERA)	J. Cantillo(0-0, 4.91 ERA)	Tickets Starting at $11.52
Apr 15, 2026	vs Cleveland	1:15 pm CATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $13.20
Apr 17, 2026	@ Houston	8:10 pm CATV	Daikin Park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $28.80
Apr 18, 2026	@ Houston	7:10 pm CATV	Daikin Park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $27.36
Apr 19, 2026	@ Houston	2:10 pmCATV	Daikin Park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $21.60
Apr 20, 2026	@ Miami	6:40 pmCATV	loanDepot park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $13.20
Apr 21, 2026	@ Miami	6:40 pmCATV	loanDepot park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $12.00
Apr 22, 2026	@ Miami	12:10 pmCATV	loanDepot park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $7.86
Apr 24, 2026	vs Seattle	8:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $14.40
Apr 25, 2026	vs Seattle	2:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $27.60
Apr 26, 2026	vs Seattle	2:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $14.40
Apr 27, 2026	@ Pittsburgh	6:40 pmCATV	PNC Park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $31.26
Apr 28, 2026	@ Pittsburgh	6:40 pmCATV	PNC Park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $35.02
Apr 29, 2026	@ Pittsburgh	6:40 pm CATV	PNC Park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $35.02
Apr 30, 2026	@ Pittsburgh	12:35 pmCATV	PNC Park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $35.71
May 1, 2026	vs L.A. Dodgers	8:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $33.60
May 2, 2026	vs L.A. Dodgers	7:15 pmFOX	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $48.00
May 3, 2026	vs L.A. Dodgers	2:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $30.00
May 4, 2026	vs Milwaukee	7:45 pmFS1	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $13.76
May 5, 2026	vs Milwaukee	7:45 pmBRTV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $13.38
May 6, 2026	vs Milwaukee	1:15 pmBRTV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $14.40
May 7, 2026	@ San Diego	10:10 pmESPN	Petco Park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $30.00
May 8, 2026	@ San Diego	9:45 pmATV	Petco Park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $26.53
May 9, 2026	@ San Diego	7:15 pmFOX	Petco Park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $38.15
May 10, 2026	@ San Diego	4:10 pmCATV	Petco Park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $29.48
May 12, 2026	@ Athletics	9:40 pmCATV	Sutter Health Park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $22.80
May 13, 2026	@ Athletics	9:40 pmCATV	Sutter Health Park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $25.20
May 14, 2026	@ Athletics	3:05 pmCATV	Sutter Health Park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $31.20
May 15, 2026	vs Kansas City	8:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $14.40
May 16, 2026	vs Kansas City	2:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $24.00
May 17, 2026	vs Kansas City	2:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $14.40
May 19, 2026	vs Pittsburgh	7:45 pm CATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $14.40
May 20, 2026	vs Pittsburgh	7:45 pm CATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $13.38
May 21, 2026	vs Pittsburgh	1:15 pm CATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $15.60
May 22, 2026	@ Cincinnati	6:40 pmCATV	Great American Ball Park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $20.40
May 23, 2026	@ Cincinnati	7:15 pmFOX	Great American Ball Park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $29.68
May 24, 2026	@ Cincinnati	1:40 pmCATV	Great American Ball Park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $20.12
May 25, 2026	@ Milwaukee	2:10 pmBRTV	American Family Field	—	—	Tickets Starting at $28.80
May 26, 2026	@ Milwaukee	7:40 pmBRTV	American Family Field	—	—	Tickets Starting at $12.00
May 27, 2026	@ Milwaukee	1:40 pmBRTV	American Family Field	—	—	Tickets Starting at $13.64
May 29, 2026	vs Chi. Cubs	7:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $45.60
May 30, 2026	vs Chi. Cubs	7:15 pmFOX	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $52.80
May 31, 2026	vs Chi. Cubs	7:20 pmNBC	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $27.60
Jun 1, 2026	vs Texas	7:45 pm CATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $18.00
Jun 2, 2026	vs Texas	7:45 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $14.40
Jun 3, 2026	vs Texas	7:45 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $15.60
Jun 5, 2026	vs Cincinnati	8:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $18.00
Jun 6, 2026	vs Cincinnati	2:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $27.60
Jun 7, 2026	vs Cincinnati	2:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $15.10
Jun 9, 2026	@ N.Y. Mets	7:10 pmCATV	Citi Field	—	—	Tickets Starting at $25.20
Jun 10, 2026	@ N.Y. Mets	7:10 pmCATV	Citi Field	—	—	Tickets Starting at $15.89
Jun 11, 2026	@ N.Y. Mets	1:10 pmCATV	Citi Field	—	—	Tickets Starting at $20.40
Jun 12, 2026	@ Minnesota	8:10 pmCATV	Target Field	—	—	Tickets Starting at $31.34
Jun 13, 2026	@ Minnesota	2:10 pmCATV	Target Field	—	—	Tickets Starting at $32.03
Jun 14, 2026	@ Minnesota	2:10 pmCATV	Target Field	—	—	Tickets Starting at $25.54
Jun 15, 2026	vs San Diego	7:45 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $16.80
Jun 16, 2026	vs San Diego	7:45 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $15.60
Jun 17, 2026	vs San Diego	2:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $14.40
Jun 18, 2026	@ Kansas City	7:40 pmCATV	Kauffman Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $42.14
Jun 19, 2026	@ Kansas City	8:15 pmATV	Kauffman Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $49.49
Jun 21, 2026	@ Kansas City	2:10 pmCATV	Kauffman Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $29.75
Jun 22, 2026	vs Arizona	7:45 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $14.40
Jun 23, 2026	vs Arizona	7:45 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $13.08
Jun 24, 2026	vs Arizona	7:45 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $13.20
Jun 25, 2026	vs Arizona	7:45 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $18.00
Jun 26, 2026	vs Miami	8:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $18.00
Jun 27, 2026	vs Miami	7:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $22.80
Jun 28, 2026	vs Miami	2:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $15.60
Jun 30, 2026	@ Atlanta	7:15 pmBRVN	Truist Park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $24.48
Jul 1, 2026	@ Atlanta	7:15 pmBRVN	Truist Park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $26.93
Jul 2, 2026	@ Atlanta	7:15 pmBRVN	Truist Park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $28.80
Jul 3, 2026	@ Chi. Cubs	4:05 pmCATV	Wrigley Field	—	—	Tickets Starting at $92.40
Jul 4, 2026	@ Chi. Cubs	8:08 pmFOX	Wrigley Field	—	—	Tickets Starting at $108.00
Jul 5, 2026	@ Chi. Cubs	2:30 pmPEAC	Wrigley Field	—	—	Tickets Starting at $84.00
Jul 6, 2026	vs Milwaukee	7:45 pmBRTV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $16.80
Jul 7, 2026	vs Milwaukee	7:45 pmBRTV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $14.40
Jul 8, 2026	vs Milwaukee	7:45 pmBRTV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $15.60
Jul 9, 2026	vs Milwaukee	7:45 pmBRTV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $15.60
Jul 10, 2026	vs Atlanta	8:15 pmBRVN	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $25.20
Jul 11, 2026	vs Atlanta	7:15 pmBRVN	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $30.00
Jul 12, 2026	vs Atlanta	2:15 pmBRVN	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $22.80
Jul 17, 2026	@ Arizona	9:40 pmCATV	Chase Field	—	—	Tickets Starting at $35.50
Jul 18, 2026	@ Arizona	4:10 pmCATV	Chase Field	—	—	Tickets Starting at $45.60
Jul 19, 2026	@ Arizona	4:10 pmCATV	Chase Field	—	—	Tickets Starting at $36.00
Jul 20, 2026	@ L.A. Angels	10:10 pm	Angel Stadium of Anaheim	—	—	Tickets Starting at $7.20
Jul 21, 2026	@ L.A. Angels	9:38 pmCATV	Angel Stadium of Anaheim	—	—	Tickets Starting at $7.20
Jul 22, 2026	@ L.A. Angels	4:07 pmCATV	Angel Stadium of Anaheim	—	—	Tickets Starting at $7.20
Jul 24, 2026	vs Cincinnati	8:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $22.80
Jul 25, 2026	vs Cincinnati	7:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $26.72
Jul 26, 2026	vs Cincinnati	2:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $20.90
Jul 27, 2026	vs Chi. Cubs	7:45 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $31.20
Jul 28, 2026	vs Chi. Cubs	7:45 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $27.60
Jul 29, 2026	vs Chi. Cubs	7:45 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $27.60
Jul 30, 2026	vs Chi. Cubs	2:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $37.20
Jul 31, 2026	@ Toronto	7:07 pmCATV	Rogers Centre	—	—	Tickets Starting at $28.78
Aug 1, 2026	@ Toronto	3:07 pmCATV	Rogers Centre	—	—	Tickets Starting at $30.22
Aug 2, 2026	@ Toronto	1:37 pmCATV	Rogers Centre	—	—	Tickets Starting at $27.34
Aug 3, 2026	@ N.Y. Yankees	7:05 pmCATV	Yankee Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $21.60
Aug 4, 2026	@ N.Y. Yankees	7:05 pmCATV	Yankee Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $17.24
Aug 5, 2026	@ N.Y. Yankees	7:05 pmAMZN	Yankee Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $18.00
Aug 7, 2026	vs Colorado	8:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $20.40
Aug 8, 2026	vs Colorado	7:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $16.80
Aug 9, 2026	vs Colorado	2:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $14.40
Aug 10, 2026	vs Philadelphia	7:45 pmFS1	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $14.40
Aug 11, 2026	vs Philadelphia	7:45 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $14.40
Aug 12, 2026	vs Philadelphia	2:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $15.85
Aug 14, 2026	@ Chi. Cubs	2:20 pmCATV	Wrigley Field	—	—	Tickets Starting at $61.20
Aug 15, 2026	@ Chi. Cubs	2:20 pmCATV	Wrigley Field	—	—	Tickets Starting at $96.00
Aug 16, 2026	@ Chi. Cubs	3:10 pmABC	Wrigley Field	—	—	Tickets Starting at $71.72
Aug 17, 2026	@ Cincinnati	6:40 pmCATV	Great American Ball Park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $14.66
Aug 18, 2026	@ Cincinnati	6:40 pmCATV	Great American Ball Park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $13.44
Aug 19, 2026	@ Cincinnati	6:40 pmCATV	Great American Ball Park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $12.22
Aug 20, 2026	@ Cincinnati	12:40 pmCATV	Great American Ball Park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $13.44
Aug 21, 2026	@ Philadelphia	6:40 pmCATV	Citizens Bank Park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $62.42
Aug 22, 2026	@ Philadelphia	6:05 pmCATV	Citizens Bank Park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $61.20
Aug 23, 2026	@ Philadelphia	1:35 pmCATV	Citizens Bank Park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $42.00
Aug 25, 2026	vs Baltimore	7:45 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $12.00
Aug 26, 2026	vs Baltimore	7:45 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $14.40
Aug 27, 2026	vs Baltimore	2:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $13.20
Aug 28, 2026	vs Pittsburgh	8:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $15.60
Aug 29, 2026	vs Pittsburgh	2:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $26.72
Aug 30, 2026	vs Pittsburgh	2:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $13.20
Sep 1, 2026	@ L.A. Dodgers	10:10 pmCATV	Dodger Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $49.20
Sep 2, 2026	@ L.A. Dodgers	10:10 pmCATV	Dodger Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $64.80
Sep 3, 2026	@ L.A. Dodgers	10:10 pmCATV	Dodger Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $52.80
Sep 4, 2026	@ Colorado	8:40 pmCATV	Coors Field	—	—	Tickets Starting at $16.80
Sep 5, 2026	@ Colorado	8:10 pmCATV	Coors Field	—	—	Tickets Starting at $21.60
Sep 6, 2026	@ Colorado	3:10 pmCATV	Coors Field	—	—	Tickets Starting at $21.82
Sep 7, 2026	@ San Francisco	8:10 pmNBC	Oracle Park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $46.56
Sep 8, 2026	@ San Francisco	9:45 pmCATV	Oracle Park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $27.38
Sep 9, 2026	@ San Francisco	3:45 pmCATV	Oracle Park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $26.23
Sep 11, 2026	vs Chi. White Sox	8:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $25.20
Sep 12, 2026	vs Chi. White Sox	7:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $34.80
Sep 13, 2026	vs Chi. White Sox	2:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $15.60
Sep 14, 2026	vs San Francisco	7:45 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $14.40
Sep 15, 2026	vs San Francisco	7:45 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $13.44
Sep 16, 2026	vs San Francisco	1:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $14.74
Sep 18, 2026	vs Washington	8:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $15.60
Sep 19, 2026	vs Washington	7:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $25.20
Sep 20, 2026	vs Washington	2:15 pmCATV	Busch Stadium	—	—	Tickets Starting at $19.20
Sep 22, 2026	@ Pittsburgh	6:40 pmCATV	PNC Park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $40.78
Sep 23, 2026	@ Pittsburgh	6:40 pmCATV	PNC Park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $40.78
Sep 24, 2026	@ Pittsburgh	12:35 pmCATV	PNC Park	—	—	Tickets Starting at $42.98
Sep 25, 2026	@ Milwaukee	7:40 pmBRTV	American Family Field	—	—	Tickets Starting at $22.80
Sep 26, 2026	@ Milwaukee	7:10 pmBRTV	American Family Field	—	—	Tickets Starting at $22.80
Sep 27, 2026	@ Milwaukee	3:10 pmBRTV	American Family Field	—	—	Tickets Starting at $18.00

St. Louis Cardinals’ Wilson Contreras lost his cool after striking out in the seventh inning during Monday night’s season opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The incident occurred at the bottom of the seventh inning after home plate umpire Derek Thomas correctly called a third strike against Contreras. The Cardinals held a 6-5 lead with a runner on first base when Contreras was rung up.

At first, Contreras walked back toward the dugout and appeared to accept the call. However, he then allegedly looked back at the umpire, and the outburst ensued. Contreras turned back toward home plate as several coaches and staff, including Cardinals manager Oli Marmol and bench coach Daniel Descalso, held him back.

As Contreras was dragged back to the dugout, he threw his bat in the direction of the umpire as he continued to yell. Instead, the bat hit another one of the Cardinals’ coaches, Brant Brown.

When Contreras finally settled down in the dugout, an entire bucket of Hi-Chew was thrown on the field near first base. The team’s batboys had to clean up the scene, although it is unknown whether Contreras was responsible.

While it is common for players and managers to get upset over calls, leaving their position to argue a call is not allowed and can result in being ejected from the game. Contreras’s excessive reaction led to his and Marmol’s ejection from the game.

Throwing the bat in the direction of an umpire and the overall outburst went too far for a correctly called strike. It is unknown at the time whether or not the MLB will pursue any further punishment for Contreras’s actions.

Despite the chaos, the Cardinals held the lead against the Pirates and won 7-6 on Monday. The potential loss of one of the Cardinals’ star players could be significant for future games.

The St. Louis Cardinals are having a solid 2025 campaign, but are in third place in the NL Central.

St. Louis finished the 2024 season with a record of 83-79, which was good enough for second place in the NL Central, but they missed the postseason. The Cardinals had a lackluster offseason, as the organization made few roster-improving moves.

The Cardinals signed relief pitcher Phil Maton and catcher Yohel Pozo to one-year deals. St. Louis let 2022 NL MVP and longtime first baseman Paul Goldschmidt walk in free agency as he signed a one-year contract with the New York Yankees.

St. Louis’ offense is led by Brendan Donovan, Alec Burleson and Mason Winn. The Cardinals have been very consistent at the plate, which has resulted in the team having a record over .500.

The Cardinals are inside the top five for hits, and inside the top 10 for on-base percentage, runs and avoiding striking out. St. Louis ranks just outside the top 10 for batting average, and it’s in the bottom half of the league for home runs and slugging percentage.

The pitching is led by Sonny Gray and Matthew Liberatore. Overall, the Cardinals’ pitching has been inconsistent.

St. Louis is in the top five at preventing home runs, but it’s at the bottom of the league for many essential metrics.

The Cardinals rank in the bottom three in strikeouts and in the bottom 10 in hits allowed and opponents’ batting average. The Cardinals are also in the bottom half of the league for ERA.

One storyline that has followed the Cardinals throughout this season and last season has been trade rumors surrounding third baseman Nolan Arenado. If the Cardinals decide to trade Arenado, the tricky part is working around the no-trade clause in his contract.

During the offseason, the Cardinals and the Houston Astros agreed on a trade that would have sent Arenado to Houston in return for star outfielder Kyle Tucker; however, Arenado invoked his no-trade clause, which prevented the trade from being finalized.

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Arenado is also on a reasonably large contract with two years remaining after this season, but the annual salary goes down each season. Arenado is still a solid player, but his days of being a star in the MLB are in the rear-view mirror.

Arenado also seems to be content in St. Louis, so the likelihood of him getting moved at the trade deadline is low.

If St. Louis wants to make the postseason, it will have to continue hitting at a high level and add another reliable starter. While the Cardinals have solid veteran starters, the team lacks an ace-level starter, so acquiring one at the trade deadline may be something worth looking into.

St. Louis Cardinals Schedule & Tickets

• July 24: vs. San Diego Padres
• July 25: vs. San Diego Padres
• July 26: vs. San Diego Padres
• July 27: vs. San Diego Padres
• July 28: vs. Miami Marlins
• July 29: vs. Miami Marlins
• July 30: vs. Miami Marlins
• August 1: at San Diego Padres
• August 2: at San Diego Padres
• August 3: at San Diego Padres
• August 4: at Los Angeles Dodgers
• August 5: at Los Angeles Dodgers
• August 6: at Los Angeles Dodgers
• August 8: vs. Chicago Cubs
• August 9: vs Chicago Cubs
• August 10: vs. Chicago Cubs
• August 11: vs. Colorado Rockies
• August 12: vs. Colorado Rockies
• August 13: vs. Colorado Rockies
• August 15: vs. New York Yankees
• August 16: vs. New York Yankees
• August 17: vs. New York Yankees
• August 18: at Miami Marlins
• August 19: at Miami Marlins
• August 20: at Miami Marlins
• August 21: at Tampa Bay Rays
• August 22: at Tampa Bay Rays
• August 24: at Tampa Bay Rays
• August 25: vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
• August 26: vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
• August 27: at Pittsburgh Pirates
• August 28: vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
• August 29: at Cincinnati Reds
• August 30: at Cincinnati Reds
• August 31: at Cincinnati Reds
• September 1: vs. Athletics
• September 2: vs. Athletics
• September 3: vs. Athletics
• September 5: vs. San Francisco Giants
• September 6: vs. San Francisco Giants
• September 7: vs. San Francisco Giants
• September 8: at Seattle Mariners
• September 9: at Seattle Mariners
• September 10: at Seattle Mariners
• September 12: at Milwaukee Brewers
• September 13: at Milwaukee Brewers
• September 14: at Milwaukee Brewers
• September 15: vs. Cincinnati Reds
• September 16: vs. Cincinnati Reds
• September 17: vs. Cincinnati Reds
• September 19: vs. Milwaukee Brewers
• September 20: vs. Milwaukee Brewers
• September 21: vs. Milwaukee Brewers
• September 22: at San Francisco Giants
• September 23: at San Francisco Giants
• September 24: at San Francisco Giants
• September 26: at Chicago Cubs
• September 27: at Chicago Cubs
• September 28: at Chicago Cubs

St. Louis Cardinals Odds

The Cardinals have good odds to make the postseason at +180. Its odds of going on a run during the postseason aren’t likely as its odds to make the World Series are +3200, and its odds to win the World Series are +6500.

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St. Louis Cardinals superstar third baseman Nolan Arenado has blocked a trade to the Houston Astros despite looking to join a contender this offseason.

Arenado signed an eight-year, $260 million contract extension with the Colorado Rockies in 2019 before being dealt to the Cardinals in 2021. He is an eight-time All-Star and has won the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards ten and five times, respectively, but, going into his age 34 season, he has never won a World Series.

He “is not demanding a trade,” according to Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak in early December. “He’s not telling me I have to do it, but I think in the best interest of both sides, I’d like to try to find him someplace to land.”

The Cardinals have their own incentives to move Arenado. They anticipate drops in both ticket and television revenue next year and would like to field a young, relatively inexpensive team in the meantime.

“From a financial standpoint, we’re trying to move our payroll,” Mozeliak said. “There are certainly other ways we can do this, but [moving Arenado] would be a big help. It’s mostly financial, but it also creates runway for someone else.”

Arenado’s offensive impact has declined, particularly over the past two years, but his primary value has always been at third base. Still, the Cardinals are expected to eat a portion of his contract if he is to be moved.

As far as the Astros are concerned, Arenado reportedly isn’t completely out on a move to Houston. He reportedly preferred not to “make a decision this early in the offseason,” and talks between the two clubs may still continue.

The Astros’ offer comes in the middle of a turbulent offseason. They have traded outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs and anticipate the departure of free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman. Ironically, these moves may have given Arenado pause about the direction of the franchise.

While the trade ultimately fell short, months remain of the offseason. It remains more than likely that, come spring, Arenado won’t be a Cardinal any longer.

The Cardinals, Dodgers and White Sox made huge moves this week with a three-team trade that sent Erick Fedde to St. Louis and Tommy Edman to Los Angeles.

Tommy Pham was sent to the Cardinals while Michael Kopech joined Edman with the Dodgers. Chicago received Miguel Vargas, Jeral Perez, Alexander Albertus and a player to be named later.

St. Louis received a boost to their rotation as Fedde has a 3.11 ERA while giving up only one unearned run in over 121 innings pitched this season –Fedde is expected to debut at Wrigley Field soon. The other bonus is that the ex-White Sox is on a reasonable contract, as he is on a two-year deal, worth $7.5 million a season. Pham will return to his former team to give a jolt to the offense as he’s batting .266 with five home runs and 19 RBI.

Despite Edman being on a minor-league rehab assignment, the Dodgers got excellent value in a utility player as the switch hitter averaged 14 home runs, 33 doubles and 29 stolen bases per 162 games played across a five-season stretch. In addition, he can play at numerous positions including shortstop, center field and second base – Edman won a gold glove with the Cards in 2021 playing second base. Kopech aims to aid the Dodgers’ bullpen as he has nine saves, a 4.74 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 43 2/3 innings.

The White Sox, on the other hand, are continuing a downward spiral as they lost 16 games in a row following Tuesday’s game against the Royals, after the trade went down Monday. “I think this helps us long term,” skipper Pedro Grifol said. “It doesn’t necessarily help us short term. We’ve got to continue the process.” The Sox called up Dominic Fletcher, Sammy Peralta and Touki Toussaint to fill the vacancies left by Fedde and Kopech.

Free agent pitcher Lance Lynn has agreed to a one-year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals.

His deal is a one-year contract that guarantees him $10 million, with incentives and a 2025 option. Lynn’s contract could see him earn as much as $25 million. 

With his career beginning in St. Louis in 2011, the signing is a reunion of sorts. He spent six years with the Cardinals until 2017. He missed the 2016 season due to Tommy John surgery. 

Lynn played last season with the Chicago White Sox. He was later traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers during the deadline. 

In his final game with the Dodgers, he allowed four home runs in less than three innings during a loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Lynn has allowed 44 home runs during the 2023 season. Lynn has an overall ERA of 5.73 in 2023.

Longtime MLB catcher and renowned color commentator Tim McCarver died Thursday at the age of 81 due to heart failure. McCarver’s career in baseball spanned seven decades and included two World Series victories as a player and countless primetime appearances in the commentary booth.

McCarver’s MLB career began in 1959, when he was just 17. Then a young catcher, he bounced back and forth between the St. Louis Cardinals and several minor league teams before finally earning a permanent role on the team in 1963. The following season, he hit a go-ahead home run in Game 5 of the 1964 World Series, which the Cardinals went on to win. He also contributed to another championship for the team in 1966.

During this period, McCarver became the preferred catcher for Bob Gibson and Steve Carlton, the latter of which would extend his career later on. After 10 seasons with the Cardinals, he spent the early 1970s in stints with the Phillies and Expos before briefly returning to St. Louis for two seasons. After another two years playing for the Red Sox, McCarver returned to the Phillies at Carlton’s request, as he became the star pitcher’s personal catcher until his retirement in 1980.

Toward the end of his playing days, McCarver began dabbling in commentary and immediately began calling games after his retirement. He soon became a color commentator for nationally televised games and went on to work for all four major networks over the course of nearly four decades. He also worked on local broadcasts from 1980 to 2002, calling games for the Phillies, Yankees, Giants and Mets, the latter of which he covered for 16 seasons.

McCarver stepped down from his position as a national broadcaster for Fox in 2013 but continued working part-time on Cardinals broadcasts until 2019. He officially retired in April 2022 due to growing health concerns.

For his work in the commentary booth, the color commentator received the 2012 Ford C. Frick Award, given to an individual who has made “major contributions to baseball.” He was inducted into the Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2017.

When the New York Yankees acquired center fielder Harrison Bader from the St. Louis Cardinals for pitcher Jordan Montgomery at the trade deadline, it came as a surprise to many. Some even saw it as a losing deal for New York after Montgomery finished the regular season strong in St. Louis, but it’s clear after one postseason game that Bader may be the difference maker the Yankees have been looking for.

In Game 1 of New York’s ALDS matchup against the Cleveland Guardians, the team trailed 1-0 going into the bottom of the third inning when Bader hit a solo home run off starting pitcher Cal Quantrill to tie it. The Yankees went on to win the game 4-1.

Bader is not traditionally a home run hitter, having hit five in the 2022 regular season and 52 over the course of six years in MLB. Though power hitting is unlikely to be his lasting contribution for the Yankees, who already enjoy plenty from big bats like Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, Bader could be the sort of player who makes the difference as the postseason wears on.

Should the Yankees defeat the Guardians, which they’re heavily favored to do, a likely matchup with the Houston Astros awaits. As a World Series favorite, Houston enjoys superior pitching and a lineup on par with New York’s. If they upset the Astros, the Yankees would then have to play the winner of the NLCS, likely the Los Angeles Dodgers or Atlanta Braves.

In order to defeat any of these top contenders, the Yankees will have to improve in a number of areas, but a lineup with holes is a surefire way to lose any series. Production from Bader in the nine-hole allows the team to get back to the top of the order, typically spearheaded by Judge and Anthony Rizzo.

What appeared to be a minor roster improvement at the trade deadline could prove to mean much more for the Yankees’ postseason run, as Bader has already demonstrated an ability to perform in big spots. New York plays Cleveland in Game 2 at home Thursday night.

The Cardinals are in the thick of the NL Wild Card race, sitting just 2.5 games back of the first spot in the NL Central as of July 25. All cylinders are firing right now, however, their progress may suffer a little hiccup this week.

Third baseman Nolan Arenado and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt will not be making the trip up to Toronto to play the Blue Jays in a quick two-game series due to the fact that they are not vaccinated against Covid-19. Canada currently has restrictions against those traveling into the country who are not vaccinated and that prevents Arenado and Goldschmidt from entering the country to play. Catcher Austin Romine will also not be making the trip.

Due to the MLB’s collective bargaining agreement, they all will forfeit pay and major league service and will be placed on the restricted list. Arenado stands to lose $385,416, Goldschmidt $241,758 and Roman $10,989.

Both All-Stars explained their decisions not to get vaccinated with Arenado saying, “It’s just a personal choice, and I’m not trying to do a political stand here or be a spokesperson for this or that,” Arenado said. “I’m just choosing to do what’s best for me and my family, and I mean no harm. But it’s unfortunate that I’ve got to miss two games.”

Goldschmidt also double-down on his decision. “It was not an easy decision, but over this year-plus that this has happened, I’ve tried to talk to as many doctors and professionals as I could, figured out as much as I could, and I decided the potential risks outweighed the potential benefits of doing it,” he said. “It stinks that I can’t play in Toronto and can’t play these next couple of games—I hate that part of it, but that’s, unfortunately, the consequence.”

Goldschmidt is one of the most offensively productive players on the roster, leading in batting average (.333), homers (22), RBI (74), OBPS (.416) and hits (116). Arenado follows closely behind with 102 hits, 18 homers and 59 RBIs.

As the second half of the season gets underway, many fringe playoff teams are not able to drop certain games or series, therefore it remains to be seen how hard a potential two-loss series against the Blue Jays may hurt come November.

Just when you thought Albert Pujols had accomplished everything he possibly could on a baseball field, he goes out and marks his first pitching appearance.

Of course, known for his big bat, Pujols toed the rubber for the first time in his 22-year MLB career Sunday as he closed out St. Louis’ 15-6 rout of San Francisco. It was extra special as the win gave Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina the MLB record for wins by a starting battery (203).

“It’s such an honor to be part of this record,” Molina said.

Pujols entered to pitch the ninth inning and surrendered a three-run homer to Luis Gonzalez and a solo shot to Joey Bart, but he did close out the game.

“A dream come true to say that I did it,” said Pujols. “It was fun. It wasn’t fun giving up two bombs. I think the fans had a good time. I’m sure the guys that took me deep did, too.”

“It’s a blessing that I get to do this with him for as long as we have,” said Wainwright (4-3), who retired 14 of the first 15 batters he faced.

Molina homered and drove in four, while Wainwright tossed six innings of three-hit, two-run ball with five strikeouts and two walks for the Cardinals, who took two of three in the series.

Pujols, 42, became the oldest player to make his pitching debut since Lena Blackburne (42) in 1929 for the White Sox.

“Right back where we started from!”

Those antiquated lyrics ring true today, as MLB legend Albert Pujols has signed back with the team that made him a household name: the St. Louis Cardinals.

“This is it for me,” Pujols said of his one-year, $2.5 million deal. “This is my last run.”

The 42-year-old rejoins the Cards after parts of 10 seasons with the Angels and a half-season with the Dodgers. His time away from St. Louis saw his batting average drop more than 30 points.

Pujols, who won two World Series titles (2006, 2011) and three MVPs in his 11 years with the Cardinals, sits at 679 home runs, 2,150 RBI, and a 144 OPS+ for his career. He could become the fourth player in MLB history with 700 homers if things pan out.

“Seldom does one get to share in watching or being a part of ‘living’ history,” Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said. “From the day we called Albert’s name in the draft room back in 1999, to now, as we set our sights on 2022, this reunion just makes sense in so many ways.

“We are all looking forward to reuniting Albert with his Cardinals family, and for the fan in all of us, including myself, this feels like looking through the pages of a favorite scrapbook or baseball card album and seeing those images and memories jump off the pages.”

“I’m happy for him to be here,” said 39-year-old Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, who was teammates with Pujols for eight seasons and is most likely also in his final season. “It’s going to be a fun year.

“We’ve only got one thing in mind: winning another championship.”

Pujols played his last game for the Cards on Oct. 28, 2011—a win over the Texas Rangers in Game 7 of the World Series.

There’s one notable player in Milwaukee Brewers history—someone who had a hand in the team’s only World Series despite never playing for them. In fact, the native Nicaraguan David Green was playing for the Brew Crew’s opponent—the St. Louis Cardinals—in that Fall Classic.

David Green Cause Of Death

Well, the 61-year-old Green died of respiratory failure in a St. Louis hospital Saturday after choking at his suburban house earlier in the week.

The outfielder and first baseman arrived with the Cardinals before the 1981 season when then-GM Whitey Herzog insisted upon having him in a deal that sent future Hall of Famers Rollie Fingers and Ted Simmons, as well as future Cy Young winner Pete Vuckovich, to Milwaukee. All three played crucial roles to the Brewers’ first playoff appearance in 1981 and follow-up World Series in 1982.

Signed by Milwaukee as a teen in the mid-’70s, Green became one of MLB’s top prospects.

“David Green? He’s got Willie Mays’ physical abilities and Pete Rose’s mental abilities,” Ray Poitevint, the Brewers’ director of player procurement, said before the Brewers agreed to trade Green to the Cards.

“We have not even tried to assess his market value,” Brewers GM Harry Dalton said the same month. “He was even further out of the question (to be traded) than (Paul) Molitor.”

“No way we make that deal if they don’t give up David Green,” then-assistant Cardinals GM Joe McDonald said in 1985. “I know (the Brewers) had a meeting and all of their people didn’t want him to go. But we finally said, ‘Look, that’s it.’ I don’t know anybody who had his Roberto Clemente skills.”

Green hit .291 with 27 stolen bases and 19 triples at in AA Holyoke in 1980 for the Brewers, and then rose to MLB quickly with St. Louis. He struggled early on in 1981, but he was part of the 1982 World Series between his former and current teams; he would go on to notch a double and triple in 10 at-bats.

Green was solid for the Cards through 1984 but was then dealt to San Francisco. He dealt with alcohol problems and received unsubstantiated scrutiny that his actual age may be as many as four years older than believed.

He eschewed the media in 1985, which wasn’t flattering for his reputation, and was re-acquired by the Brewers in 1986.

Failing to win a starting job out of spring training in 1986, Green took his talents to Japan to play for a season before a brief return to the Cardinals in 1987.

“I had heard he was a bad guy,” Brewers second baseman Jim Gantner said in 1986. “He wasn’t a bad guy at all. He was great to have in the clubhouse. He was always joking, a lot of fun to be around.”

Three-time World Series champion Jon Lester has decided to hang up the spikes after 16 seasons in MLB.

The 38-year-old pitcher—part of two World Series titles in Boston and one with the Chicago Cubs—said wear and tear on his body was the reason for the decision.

“It’s kind of run its course,” he said. “It’s getting harder for me physically. The little things that come up throughout the year turned into bigger things that hinder your performance.

“I’d like to think I’m a halfway decent self-evaluator. I don’t want someone else telling me I can’t do this anymore. I want to be able to hand my jersey over and say, ‘Thank you, it’s been fun.’ That’s probably the biggest deciding factor.”

Lester began his career with the Red Sox in 2006.

“Any time he had the ball, it was a different feeling as a teammate,” said former Boston teammate Dustin Pedroia. “The power, the way he worked, the will to win. He had great stuff, but his best gift was he found a way to win. That’s something you can’t teach, you can’t coach. It’s a special player that has that. There’s not many.”

He wasn’t just dominant on the baseball field, Lester beat lymphoma cancer during that 2006 season and of course returned to notch all his accolades.

Lester finishes his career with a 200-117 record, 3.66 ERA, and 2,488 strikeouts in 2,740 innings. He also made five All-Star teams, tossed a no-hitter in 2008, and won the NLCS MVP 2016 en route to winning the Cubs’ first World Series since 1908.

The Red Sox traded him to the Oakland A’s in the 2014 season, and he declined to return to Boston as a free agent, opting for the Cubbies.

He started 28 games for the Washington Nationals and St. Louis Cardinals in 2021.

“I never wanted fans to leave a game and ask, ‘Was the effort there?’” Lester said. “I think I always gave it.”

The St. Louis Cardinals announced that their future Hall of Fame catcher Yadier Molina has agreed to return for one more season before retiring. The one-year contract will extend Molina’s tenure with the organization to 19 years, the most in franchise history after Stan Musial, who played in 22 seasons.

“On behalf of the Cardinals and our fans, it gives me great pleasure to announce that Yadier Molina will continue his franchise legacy for another season in 2022,” Cardinals chairman, Bill DeWitt Jr., shared in a public statement, “Yadi has continued to play at an All-Star level this season, and has already established himself among the greatest players to have ever worn the birds on the bat.”

The 39-year-old has carved out quite the resume, one that features ten All-Star appearances, nine Gold Glove Awards, and two World Series rings. In addition to his on-field exploits, Molina has also been commended for his many humanitarian contributions. He was the recipient of the 2018 Roberto Clemente Award after his nonprofit charity Fundación 4, dedicated to helping underprivileged children in Puerto Rico, raised over $800,000 in relief following Hurricane Maria.

Albert Pujols’ tenure with the Los Angeles Angels has ended. The Angels confirmed on Thursday that they are going to be releasing Pujols.

The Angels announced that Pujols has been designated for assignment. Designating a player for assignment means that they are being removed from the roster. It is a prelude to his eventual release from the team.

The announcement was followed up by a statement by Angels owner Arte Moreno, who praised Pujols for his accomplishments. “The Angels Organization proudly signed Albert Pujols in 2011 and is honored that he has worn an Angels jersey for nearly half of his Hall-of-Fame career,” Moreno said. “Albert’s historical accomplishments, both on and off the field, serve as an inspiration to athletes everywhere, and his actions define what it means to be a true Superstar.”

The 41-year-old designated hitter was in his final year of the 10-year, $253 million contract that enticed him to leave the St. Louis Cardinals for the Angels. From the start of his career with the Angels, he showed a steady decline compared to his batting dominance with the Cardinals during the early years of his career.

Drafted in 2001 by the Cardinals, Pujols won the NL Rookie of The Year award and was named an All-Star in his first season with the team. The slugger finished his rookie season with a .329 batting average, 37 home runs and 130 RBI’s. Pujols’ rookie season sent a message to the rest of the league about what was to come from the then-rookie. Over the next decade, Pujols became one of the greatest hitters of all time. Up until his final season with the Cardinals, he always hit above .300 from the plate.

Pujols left the Cardinals with a .328 batting average. In 2011, he signed with the Angels on a 10-year, $253 million contract. Pujols’ talents slowly declined during his time with the Angels.

Over his 21-year career, the 41-year-old has recorded 3,253 hits (13th all-time), 667 home runs (fifth all-time), 2,112 RBIs (third all-time) and a career batting average of .298. Pujols is a two-time World Series champion with the Cardinals, a three-time NL MVP, 10-time All-Star and a six-time Silver Slugger Award winner.

Pujols is very likely to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer should he retire. However, Angels manager Joe Maddon says Pujols is still determined to play first base regularly for another team after he clears waivers. “He wants to play, and he wants to be in the field,” Maddon said. “Hopefully he’s going to get that opportunity somewhere else, and believe me, we’re all going to be rooting for him.”

Opening Day of Major League Baseball will be here in the blink of an eye.  Now is a good time to look at each team’s prognosis heading into the 2021 season after the 60-game 2020 abbreviated season.

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Generally speaking, the St. Louis Cardinals have been one of the better franchises in baseball. St. Louis has made a total of 14 trips to the playoffs. The team has also won two World Series since 2000. Overall, the Cardinals have won 12 championships over the franchise’s 139-year history. 2021 should be another promising year for the Cardinals as they will compete to make the postseason for the third year in a row.

Here are the Cardinals’ projected starters.

St. Louis Cardinals Projected Batting Order:

1. 2B Tommy Edman
2. 1B Paul Goldschmidt
3. 3B Nolan Arenado 
4. SS Paul DeJong
5. C Yadier Molina
6. OF Dylan Carlson
7. OF Tyler O’Neil
8. OF Harrison Bader 
9. Pitcher

St. Louis Cardinals Projected Pitching Staff:

• SP1 Jack Flaherty
• SP2 Kwang Hyun Kim
• SP3 Adam Wainwright
• SP4 Miles Mikolas
• SP5 Carlos Martinez
• CL Jordan Hicks

St. Louis Cardinals Team Outlook:

The Cardinals made some changes in the offseason. One of the team’s biggest moves was acquiring superstar third baseman Nolan Arenado from the Colorado Rockies. The Cards also traded outfielder Dexter Fowler to the Los Angeles Angels for a minor leaguer. 

While the Cards made additions, they also suffered some losses, including losing second baseman Kolten Wong, third baseman Brad Miller and catcher Matt Wieters to free agency. Two players that were brought back via free agency were catcher Yadier Molina and starter Adam Wainwright. 

Regarding the starting rotation, the team’s ace is Jack Flaherty, and he is followed by three veterans. Starter Kwang Hyun Kim showed the ability to pitch quality innings in 2020, and he is likely to be successful in 2021. The bullpen is in good hands with Jordan Hicks returning from Tommy John surgery, plus Alex Reyes has a strong arm with closing potential. Offensively, the top half of the lineup is strong and powerful, but the bottom half is inconsistent. From the looks of it, the Cardinals have what it takes to be a competitive team in 2021. 

St. Louis Cardinals Schedule:

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Former Major League Baseball infielder and manager Art Howe is in intensive care in Houston as he is dealing with coronavirus. 

On Thursday, the 73-year-old Howe said that he has been experiencing symptoms of the virus since May 3. After testing positive, Howe tried to recover from the virus at home but was eventually taken to a hospital on Tuesday. Howe described this experience as unlike anything he has gone through in his life. He said that he needs to be fever free for 24 hours so he can be released from the hospital.

During an 11-year career as a player from 1974-1985, Howe played across the infield for the Pirates, Astros and Cardinals. After his playing days, Howe became a manager, first with the Astros from 1989-1993, then with the Athletics during the ‘Moneyball era’ from 1996-2002, and finally with the Mets for the 2003 and 2004 seasons. 

The first three games of the NL Championship Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Washington Nationals have been an embarrassing display on the Cardinals’ part.

Since exploding for ten runs in the first inning of Game five of the NL Division Series against the Braves, the Cardinals have scored two runs in three games against the Nationals.  It’s difficult to believe that the same team who scored ten runs in the deciding Game five is now the same team batting so poorly in the NLCS.

They still have at least one more game to play, but have been completely shut down by the Nationals’ rotation, which hasn’t allowed a run in 21.2 innings of work. Anibal Sanchez, Max Scherzer, and Stephen Strasburg have led the Nationals to a prime position as they try to clinch their first World Series appearance in franchise history.

The Nationals’ two runs this series have come off of Nationals misplays, as two outfield errors have caused Cardinals runners to cross home plate. The last time a team had such a futile offense in a playoff series was the 1966 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles scored two runs as they got swept four games to none behind the arms of Dave McNally and Jim Palmer.

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW 

Meanwhile, the top of the Cardinals order has been in disarray, as the 1-2-3 hitters Dexter Fowler, Kolten Wong, and Paul Goldschmidt have hit 1-33 cumulatively.

“It starts with me,” says Goldschmidt, who slugged 34 home runs this season. “I haven’t really done anything this series and the results speak for themselves, especially tonight.”

The Nationals will send lefty Patrick Corbin on the mound for Game 4 on Tuesday night. Corbin struck out 11 and allowed no runs when he faced the Cardinals last month. St. Louis looks to survive one more night and find rhythm for its offense while starting Dakota Hudson. The game will be at Nationals Park at 8:05 p.m. EST on TBS.

The Atlanta Braves will have quite a bit to think about this off-season.

The St. Louis Cardinals crushed the Braves 13-1 in the deciding Game five of the NLDS on Wednesday. Atlanta has now been eliminated from the NLDS for the second straight year.

In this series, three of the first four games were decided by runs scored in the ninth inning or later. On Wednesday, however, the Cardinals exploded for 10 runs in the first inning alone. Before Atlanta could go up to bat, the game was 10-0 and basically over at that point.

Braves starter Mike Foltynewicz couldn’t stop the bleeding as he allowed six runs in 0.1 innings. The game just moved too quick for him and before he knew it, there was nothing left to do.

“I don’t know,” he said. “Stuff happens fast.”

The only way to talk about game five is matter-of-factly. One team showed up to play baseball. The other forgot how to play the game. Despite the final score of 13-1, all that will be remembered is a 10-run first inning and the blown opportunities of the Braves this entire series.

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW 

They had their opportunity to win this series without a need for a game five. They surrendered an eighth inning lead in both game one and four.

The Braves now haven’t won a postseason series since 2001 as they get to watch from home early for another year. It’ll be hard to recover from a series this devastating.

“Everyone had sky-high confidence going into that game,” first baseman Freddie Freeman said. “Then them scoring 10 runs, that’s hard to swallow. Everything went wrong from the get-go.”

The future is still bright for this young Braves team and it showed as the veterans struggled in the postseason but the young core kept the team in it. Veteran Nick Markakis went 3-21 in the series. Brian McCann, who announced his retirement after the game went 3-16 and Josh Donaldson went 3-19.

Meanwhile, the Washington Nationals won their first playoff series in franchise history defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-3 in extra innings Wednesday night.

St Louis will face the Nationals in the NLCS Friday at 8:08 p.m. EST on TBS.

With the MLB playoffs fast approaching, ten teams will battle it out for the title of World Series champion. The question is, how do they all stack up heading into the first-round games?

Here’s how the standings look as of now:

10. Tampa Bay Rays (96-66)

After locking up the second AL Wild-Card spot, the Rays are headed back to the postseason for the first time since 2013. The Rays are anchored by strong pitching and will look to their pitching staff for leadership heading into the Wild Card Game.

9. Milwaukee Brewers (89-73)

The Brewers come off of the best late-season push from any team in the MLB. However, they will be heading into the playoffs without their best offensive weapon, MVP candidate Christian Yelich. However, the Brewers are still a contender even without Yelich.

8. Oakland Athletics (97-65)

The A’s come into the 2019 postseason featuring a solid starting pitching staff and an absolutely lethal bullpen, anchored by dominant newly-arisen closer Liam Hendriks. The A’s could make a push these playoffs if they were to win the Wild Card Game, as they would run into a tough matchup with the Houston Astros.

7. Washington Nationals (93-69)

The Nationals currently have one of the best starting pitching staffs in the MLB and potentially the best in the NL. The big weak spot for the Nationals is their bullpen, which is ranked 30th in the MLB with a 5.66 ERA.

6. St. Louis Cardinals (91-71)

The Cardinals also enter the postseason with a well-established pitching staff, led by starters Jack Flaherty and Adam Wainwright, in addition to bullpen anchors Carlos Martinez and Giovanny Gallegos. The big question for the redbirds will be their offense, which currently ranks last in runs per game among all playoff teams.

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5. Minnesota Twins (101-61)

The Twins undoubtedly have the most firepower out of any offense after amassing 307 home runs and leading the MLB. They will lack pitching depth heading into the postseason, which could prove costly down the stretch.

4. Atlanta Braves (97-65)

This talented Braves group is hungry for postseason success and features a stacked offensive lineup, a well-rounded pitching staff and a bullpen aided by some key additions. The looming concern for the Braves will be whether can they get through the Dodgers.

3. New York Yankees (103-59)

The Yankees’ offense can compete with any team in the MLB, especially after the return of Giancarlo Stanton. However, pitching remains a question mark, as there are inconsistencies among many of their starters.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers (106-56)

The Dodgers’ offense is led by MVP candidate Cody Bellinger and is capable of producing runs at an astounding click. The team boasts solid starting pitching, although the only potential red flag here is the bullpen and closer Kenley Jansen, who already has eight blown saves this year.

1. Houston Astros (107-55)

Often referred to as this year’s “team to beat”, the Astros have it all: a completely dominant pitching staff, a lights-out bullpen and offensive firepower. Will it all come together down the stretch?