Buffet Podcast Ep. 5: Are the Cardinals beginning their descent?

The Wrigley collapse may have poisoned the well, especially if you look at Monday's lifeless defeat.

The Cardinals had a chance to be the hero, and they blew it. After 2024 started off as well as 2023 didn’t end, the team got their act together. On July 8, they were 48-42 and pointing their sails at ten games above average. The 9-14 record paints the rest of the story.

Tim Vizer/USA Today Sports

Think about this: The last time St. Louis ended a day at the .500 mark, it was June 20. If they lose tonight, they will finish the night at that unpleasant even mark. Some would say it was inevitable. The man with a half-broken leg ascending a ladder hitting a point, and then tumbling down to the floor. If they aren’t careful, the season could be heading down far enough to where it becomes too hard to climb back up.

Picture a plane that was certain to crash a long time ago before finding its way. However, while they kept afloat, a lot of equipment got worn out and had begun to fail. Finally, an engine gets lost. Afterwards, any clock on a wrist could tell you how soon the plane hits the trees.

The Cardinals aren’t far from the trees. With 49 games left, they sit six games away from first place and four games out of the third and final wildcard spot. Sure, there’s still time. Then again, placing a small yet steady flame under the team’s ass wouldn’t hurt. Miles Mikolas, Nolan Arenado and every other veteran player over the age of 30 can come out and say the team needs to play better.

It’s August 6! Just do it. Or, please just break down and hit the trees, so the team can call up Jordan Walker to get reps, move Alec Burleson to first base to share reps with Paul Goldschmidt (DH him on other days perhaps), and begin the reset. You can call it a rebuild or retool, but I’ll go with reset. Now is the time to figure out who this team really is, so the front office and coaching staff can figure out how to fix it. If they can’t, a kindly written resignation will do.

Those are the words. Below is the podcast I recorded earlier this afternoon on my lunch break, because that’s what voices of the people do. In order to get those candid minutes and comments, you’ll need to jump over the paywall. Thanks to those who do contribute. If you find another local writer dishing Cards baseball and entertainment commentary, tip them too.