The State of the Cardinals: What was maybe found in May is now shot down in June
The Pirates?! Let's tackle a few bad apples in this uneventful week of baseball.
It’s not easy being a St. Louis Cardinals fan. Heck, baseball takes its toll on many fanbases. A 162-game schedule that now rockets along like a dramatic, yet awe-inspiring, speed-wagon doesn’t wait for a fan to recover. Around a month ago, the Cardinals seemed to be finding their way.
Even as May reached its end, they were treading water. But after a series loss to the Cleveland Indians and a sweep at the hands of the Pittsburgh Pirates, it’s fair to say the 2023 season is going as well as the Bay of Pigs.
St. Louis is 25-35, carrying one of the worst records in baseball. They own the worst record in the National League. Only a franchise-worst start from Oakland saves the Midwest from looking like one giant, hairy baseball zit. A team with Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt on the roster shouldn’t be this bad, but here we are.
Spread the blame around. The offense was a top 5-10 attack dog before this past week. They’ve scored 24 runs in the past ten games. The starting pitching can’t muster six innings or more most nights, and the bullpen includes a fine performance or two most nights. The message is clear, though. This team isn’t a threat right now, but when exactly will they be again?
What changes things in the next week to month? Jordan Walker came back, and couldn’t rescue things. He never had that ability. Luken Baker smacked a single in his first at-bat today, but they lost, 2-1. Facing a weak Pirates team that came into the series less than .500, the Cardinals couldn’t break things open once on this team.
Nolan Gorman provided some late-game thrills on Saturday, but it wasn’t enough. Lost amid the rough start is an impressive start to the season for Gorman. He’s maintained a .900 OPS or better for the first two months, and doesn’t look to be giving the pitchers any easier of a time.
Yet, the team can’t find the magic that was found a month ago. They won eleven games between May 7-21, shoving away the embarrassment of a worse start. Two weeks later, things look worse. The bats aren’t working, the arms can only do so much, and everybody wants the manager fired.
Once again, from the cheap seats, Oliver Marmol will not be fired. He’s a fucking puppet in a machine that is ruled by the top dogs. Please download that truth. This is John Mozeliak’s world, and we’re just living in it. That includes Marmol, who continues to get defensive after games. He sounds like a guy who thinks he could be a robot underneath seemingly perfect skin.
How do the Cardinals get better? Generate offense, and stop swinging for the fences like a bunch of fascists. Take a walk, steal a base, and make them uncomfortable. The starters could really help by cutting this 5.2 IP crap out. Go 6-7 or eat old, left out Chinese food for your post game meal. Hey bullpen, hold a lead for two games in a row.
Bright spot: Jordan Hicks. In his last 15 appearances, he’s striking out three batters for each walk. He looked good. It’s not enough though.
Tomorrow, the Cards visit Texas. The Rangers were 37-20 as of Sunday afternoon, preparing to face Adam Wainwright on Monday. The veteran Cardinal could be a red wedding waiting for him in Arlington, or the 41-year-old could pull off another miracle. Everyone can agree Wainwright is being paid to do more than five solid innings of work every fifth day, age be damned.
What they’re right now is an expensive flop. A movie that opened up to poor reviews and returns. Ten games below .500 on June 5 is a giant snooze button of a beginning, a complete false start. Save me the “we should be appreciative for the last 20 years” speech.
Screw that nonsense. This team hasn’t won shit in ten years. A decade ago, they won the pennant. Since: very little. What’s there to be so proud of? The World Series win was 12 years ago. The honeymoon is over, ladies and gentlemen.
Goodnight. My advice: Stock up on bourbon and dry red wine.