what do you think about the st louis cardnials this year?

Answer 1

Playoff team but not winning the World Series.

Answer 2

They've hit a rough patch, but believe it or not, they didn't do too bad with Pujols on the DL. They ended up 8-7 during the stretch that he was out. It was after he returned that they lost 6 more games in a row. Their starters have been in a rough patch lately, but overall are 32-24 on the season, and none have lost more than 6 (and it looks as if Marquis is about to win his 10th on the season, so he's really not been all that disappointing this season, except the fact that his ERA is high). The bullpen is 11-12 on the season, which is really where the weak spot has been this season.

Overall, they need a bit more pop from their outfield. Rodriguez has potential, but still needs to develop. Taguchi has played fairly well this season, but is not a power hitter by any stretch of the imagination. Bigbie has been hurt all season and hasn't contributed anything, plus it's hard to tell how he will play (his career stats aren't all that impressive - he's a lifetime .267 hitter with 31 HR's and 137 RBI's in 392 games, and he's in his sixth season). Encarnacion is a decent player, but not a power hitter by any stretch, and again is a .269 career hitter. Edmonds is very disappointing so far this year, only hitting .256 and 9 HR's on the season. He has been known for going on hot streaks though, and so could have a decent season when it's all said and done (but I'm not holding my breath on it).

I have been impressed with the infield so far. Rolen is having a terrific season now that he's fully healthy for the first time since mid-2004. The Miles/Luna platoon has produced better than expected. Eckstein and Pujols have both played well this year. Molina has been disappointing to this point at the plate, but LaRussa has said repeatedly that they care more about his defense, which has been very good this season.

More than anything, they just need to get it together. The bullpen needs to get out of their funk, and the offense needs to give the pitching some support (come on, they lost a 1 hitter!!!). When it's all said and done, I think we'll be seeing the Cards facing the Mets in the NLCS, and they've taken 2 of 3 from them so far this season. If they can get it together, they'll be in the World Series.

Answer 3

Should have been strongest team in NL this year. Starters have really let them down. Marquis is nowhere up to expectations. Mulder is hurt and was not very effective when he was healthy. Suppan is stinking it up this year, Carpenter is pretty much the only one who is having a decent year.

Teams win or lose by thier pitching.

Answer 4

still love em to death but their starting rotation needs to do a better job of giving up less runs and going more innings in each start.

I dont know why teams in the AL are kicking their *** because the cardinals were predicted to be the team to beat before the season opened.

I think they just need to work on their pitching and producing more runs to put less pressure on their pitchers so they can go out and pitch with confidence.

Answer 5

They've certainly got the talent to go to the playoffs, with or without Pujols. I just found it disturbing that they fell apart when he was on the DL. He is one of the greats, but the rest of the team is good, too, and they don't seem to know that.

Answer 6

I think they have a fight on their hands, but with Pujols and Rolen they won't be having too many more skids this year.

Answer 7

A good team, who is struggling right now. I still think they will
make the playoffs. How far they go? Who knows.
GO BIRDS!

Answer 8

I think they should be glad they have Pujols because look what happened to them when he got hurt

Answer 9

they are good but not good enough to get in the world series!