It is a bit earlier than Memorial Day, the date I first judge the St. Louis Cardinals or any Major League Baseball team on outlook for the season, but let’s give it a shot.
The Cardinals are legitimate. As of Monday, the team was eight games over .500 and trailed the first-place Chicago Cubs by a game and a half.
Jordan Walker is more than a guaranteed National League All-Star, he is a candidate for Most Valuable Player. I do not think he will continue the season at the sensational pace he has set since Opening Day; however, I doubt he will sink to the depths he reached over the past two years.
Walker’s .301 batting average is the key to his success. When he hits the ball, it is with authority. The average has led to his 13 home runs, 34 RBIs and 34 runs scored. He also has seven stolen bases, which does not occur if you aren’t frequently on base.
A problem facing the Cardinals is run differential. With all that has happened this season, as of Monday, the Redbirds had a plus-three run differential. They were undefeated in extra-inning games and 10-3 in one-run games.
The pendulum could easily swing the other way on statistics such as those.
The Cardinals are also ranked 21st in team ERA in MLB. It’s not the worst, but being in the middle of the pack doesn’t often lead to postseason appearances.
St. Louis relievers are also among the most-used in the National League and that wear-and-tear could come calling as the season progresses.
Shortstop Masyn Winn is just coming into form as May moves to June. He was hitting .255, which is decent, and while he hasn’t played Gold Glove-caliber defense as he did last year, he gives the Cardinals a dependable defender in most games.
Winn has just one home run and 17 RBIs, though. It could tilt things favorably for the Cardinals if he adds some pop in the batter’s box.
Another concern I have with Winn is the propensity for injury. He left last Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Royals with an injured knee and reports have him listed as “day-to-day.” Nagging injuries are becoming the norm, and that is not good.
With JJ Wetherholt at second base, Victor Scott II in center field and a healthy Winn, St. Louis has one of the game’s most solid up-the-middle defenses.
As for Scott, his days are numbered in the starting lineup if he does not collect more base hits and improve his on-base percentage.
While his two home runs top Winn’s total by one, a .189 batting average is not MLB-worthy. His move from the starting lineup might not end on the Cardinals’ bench — it might find him playing for Triple-A Memphis.
Lars Nootbaar, an injury waiting to happen who also plays outstanding defense, is on a rehabilitation assignment. When he returns, if Scott is still hitting below .200, it is obvious what the Cardinals might do.
Oddsmakers projected the Cardinals to win in the low to mid-70s. Exactly a quarter into the season, the Cardinals were on pace to win 92 games, and Walker was on a path to 48 home runs.
I doubt either will happen, but the remainder of the season has promise — and that’s cool.
The Reid Roundup
Manager Will Venable and the Chicago White Sox were just a game out of first place and two games over .500 as of Monday following a dramatic 9-8 win over the Chicago Cubs…While the Cardinals and MLB could use an injection of youthful energy, I’m not a fan of the shirtless “tarps off” nonsense. It was good for a series, not a season…As much as I would like to see Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers defeat the New York Knicks in the NBA Eastern Conference finals, Jalen Brunson and the Knicks should prevail…Two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder will have a battle with Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, but should push through.