How Many of You Actually Expected Them To Contend?

[Melville]

I predicted a win total in the mid-to-high 70's.
With the potential to mildly surprise and win 83-84 wins if several factors aligned.
But I have specifically stated the that mild surprise would only be possible under one very specific scenario: the team would need to start slow enough that The Marmot would be fired somewhere around the 30-game mark, leaving sufficient time for a competent replacement to maximize the team's abilities and lead to a small turnaround.

Melville, I’m surprised at you. You, and you alone, should have first realized that they aren’t going to fire Marmol during the season. Remember Super Slo-Mo, and the contract plays, and anointings, and falling in love hard?

Once the season is lost, teams inevitably trade or DFA veterans who are in the final year of a contract.
They want to use the balance of the season to look at younger potential long-term options.
Same will be true of The Marmot.
But with even more incentive.
Managers make very convenient fall guys.
He will not survive 2025 as the STL manager.
More certain that the cost of Chinese imports going up!

He will survive the season. Nothing the Cardinals hate more than change. They will change in the offseason. They won’t do it twice. Well, they may hate paying someone to go away more. Tough call.

Managers make convenient fall guys.
Often justified - such as with The Marmot.
Sometimes not.
Regardless, the Cardinals are not a baseball team with a marketing department.
They are a marketing company with a baseball department.
The Marmot will be fired when the marketing leadership believes it best serves their purpose.

[Talkin' Baseball]

Time will tell

[Shady]

I did. I think I predicted 10 over. 86-76. Still a possibility.

That's some big time optimism. I've noticed for years that you haven't let the Cardinals shortcomings ruin your day. Gotta admire that.

A number of posters predicted wins in the mid to high 80s. Several predicted 90.

A number of people drink wine out of a box.
Idiocracy will oftentimes flourish!

Everyone is entitled to their opinion (prediction), Monsieur.

Absolutely! Just as everyone is entitled to drink wine out of a box.

I guess it’s the “idiocrasy” put down that’s troubling, Monsieur. Rather condescending to people who just put forth an honest opinion (prediction).

Welcome to the club.

[Shady]

I did. I think I predicted 10 over. 86-76. Still a possibility.

That's some big time optimism. I've noticed for years that you haven't let the Cardinals shortcomings ruin your day. Gotta admire that.

A number of posters predicted wins in the mid to high 80s. Several predicted 90.

A number of people drink wine out of a box.
Idiocracy will oftentimes flourish!

Everyone is entitled to their opinion (prediction), Monsieur.

Absolutely! Just as everyone is entitled to drink wine out of a box.

I guess it’s the “idiocrasy” put down that’s troubling, Monsieur. Rather condescending to people who just put forth an honest opinion (prediction).

Troubling? Really? Troubling?

Kids with Cancer is troubling. The unresolved situation in Ukraine is troubling. Students graduating from high school who can barely read is troubling.

My use of the word "idiocracy" is far from troubling unless one is a complete Snowflake. Cranny, you need to grow a pair and put on your big boy pants if you wish to engage others on an anonymous sports forum.

This is exactly what I've been telling you and many of my critics often harping on trivial things. You know what I'm talking about.

[Talkin' Baseball]

I did. I think I predicted 10 over. 86-76. Still a possibility.

That's some big time optimism. I've noticed for years that you haven't let the Cardinals shortcomings ruin your day. Gotta admire that.

A number of posters predicted wins in the mid to high 80s. Several predicted 90.

A number of people drink wine out of a box.
Idiocracy will oftentimes flourish!

Everyone is entitled to their opinion (prediction), Monsieur.

Absolutely! Just as everyone is entitled to drink wine out of a box.

I guess it’s the “idiocrasy” put down that’s troubling, Monsieur. Rather condescending to people who just put forth an honest opinion (prediction).

Troubling? Really? Troubling?

Kids with Cancer is troubling. The unresolved situation in Ukraine is troubling. Students graduating from high school who can barely read is troubling.

My use of the word "idiocracy" is far from troubling unless one is a complete Snowflake. Cranny, you need to grow a pair and put on your big boy pants if you wish to engage others on an anonymous sports forum.

This is exactly what I've been telling you and many of my critics often harping on trivial things. You know what I'm talking about.

I started this thread to talk about contending, or not contending. If you’re just going to bicker- get off my lawn!

[Cranny]

I did. I think I predicted 10 over. 86-76. Still a possibility.

That's some big time optimism. I've noticed for years that you haven't let the Cardinals shortcomings ruin your day. Gotta admire that.

A number of posters predicted wins in the mid to high 80s. Several predicted 90.

A number of people drink wine out of a box.
Idiocracy will oftentimes flourish!

Everyone is entitled to their opinion (prediction), Monsieur.

Absolutely! Just as everyone is entitled to drink wine out of a box.

I guess it’s the “idiocrasy” put down that’s troubling, Monsieur. Rather condescending to people who just put forth an honest opinion (prediction).

Troubling? Really? Troubling?

Kids with Cancer is troubling. The unresolved situation in Ukraine is troubling. Students graduating from high school who can barely read is troubling.

My use of the word "idiocracy" is far from troubling unless one is a complete Snowflake. Cranny, you need to grow a pair and put on your big boy pants if you wish to engage others on an anonymous sports forum.

This is exactly what I've been telling you and many of my critics often harping on trivial things. You know what I'm talking about.

I started this thread to talk about contending, or not contending. If you’re just going to bicker- get off my lawn!

I still think they’ll contend for a playoff spot.

[Talkin' Baseball]

I did. I think I predicted 10 over. 86-76. Still a possibility.

That's some big time optimism. I've noticed for years that you haven't let the Cardinals shortcomings ruin your day. Gotta admire that.

A number of posters predicted wins in the mid to high 80s. Several predicted 90.

A number of people drink wine out of a box.
Idiocracy will oftentimes flourish!

Everyone is entitled to their opinion (prediction), Monsieur.

Absolutely! Just as everyone is entitled to drink wine out of a box.

I guess it’s the “idiocrasy” put down that’s troubling, Monsieur. Rather condescending to people who just put forth an honest opinion (prediction).

Troubling? Really? Troubling?

Kids with Cancer is troubling. The unresolved situation in Ukraine is troubling. Students graduating from high school who can barely read is troubling.

My use of the word "idiocracy" is far from troubling unless one is a complete Snowflake. Cranny, you need to grow a pair and put on your big boy pants if you wish to engage others on an anonymous sports forum.

This is exactly what I've been telling you and many of my critics often harping on trivial things. You know what I'm talking about.

I started this thread to talk about contending, or not contending. If you’re just going to bicker- get off my lawn!

I still think they’ll contend for a playoff spot.

Appreciate your opinion and positive outlook. Respectfully disagree.

[ramfandan]

The vast majority here predicted .500 or below in the preseason thread. Some got a little over excited after the Twins series, but for the most part the record is what most expected so far. Although the team has played a lot better than I expected.

In 22 games, the team has scored the same number of runs as allowed ... 103 The expected W-L for differential of 0 is 11-11
Unfortunately , the Cardinals are two less than that at 9-13 ( the extra inning losses and all the one-run games have been losers too ).

As for how they can or will contend in the NL Central will start to materialize this upcoming weekend... Last year's division champs Brewers
Milwaukee is currently 3 games up on Cards ... If that difference doesn't change from now til Friday it sets up the following:

If Cards sweep Brewers, they would be tied with them gaining 3 games on them .. Lose all 3 and Cards would trail Milwaukee by 6 games .
Of course Chicago may be the team to beat but Cards can't afford to trail Brewers by 6 after nearly 30 games.
Intradivisional games with Cubs, Brewers, and Reds will be crucial if Cards make any noise in the Central .

[Monsieur De Treville]

I did. I think I predicted 10 over. 86-76. Still a possibility.

That's some big time optimism. I've noticed for years that you haven't let the Cardinals shortcomings ruin your day. Gotta admire that.

A number of posters predicted wins in the mid to high 80s. Several predicted 90.

A number of people drink wine out of a box.
Idiocracy will oftentimes flourish!

Everyone is entitled to their opinion (prediction), Monsieur.

Absolutely! Just as everyone is entitled to drink wine out of a box.

I guess it’s the “idiocrasy” put down that’s troubling, Monsieur. Rather condescending to people who just put forth an honest opinion (prediction).

Troubling? Really? Troubling?

Kids with Cancer is troubling. The unresolved situation in Ukraine is troubling. Students graduating from high school who can barely read is troubling.

My use of the word "idiocracy" is far from troubling unless one is a complete Snowflake. Cranny, you need to grow a pair and put on your big boy pants if you wish to engage others on an anonymous sports forum.

This is exactly what I've been telling you and many of my critics often harping on trivial things. You know what I'm talking about.

I started this thread to talk about contending, or not contending. If you’re just going to bicker- get off my lawn!

I still think they’ll contend for a playoff spot.

They won't. And you shouldn't expect them to contend.

One thing I've learned in well over 60 years of watching pro sports....a team HAS to improve, or at least attempt to improve, each and every year. Things change fast in pro sports. It matters not what you did last season, if you wish to remain competitive you have to keep pushing.

The Cards did absolutely NOTHING to improve in 2025. They didn't try and they told you they wouldn't try. They simply don't have the horses to compete in this race. It's not a good team and that will manifest itself further as the season proceeds.

Your optimism is misguided at best.

[cardsfaninla]

Expected them to contend? No

Dreamed of them contending despite all the signs that they would not? YES!

Now resigned to the unlikelihood of contending? Yes

still watching despite it all? .... yes

[Cranny]

I did. I think I predicted 10 over. 86-76. Still a possibility.

That's some big time optimism. I've noticed for years that you haven't let the Cardinals shortcomings ruin your day. Gotta admire that.

A number of posters predicted wins in the mid to high 80s. Several predicted 90.

A number of people drink wine out of a box.
Idiocracy will oftentimes flourish!

Everyone is entitled to their opinion (prediction), Monsieur.

Absolutely! Just as everyone is entitled to drink wine out of a box.

I guess it’s the “idiocrasy” put down that’s troubling, Monsieur. Rather condescending to people who just put forth an honest opinion (prediction).

Troubling? Really? Troubling?

Kids with Cancer is troubling. The unresolved situation in Ukraine is troubling. Students graduating from high school who can barely read is troubling.

My use of the word "idiocracy" is far from troubling unless one is a complete Snowflake. Cranny, you need to grow a pair and put on your big boy pants if you wish to engage others on an anonymous sports forum.

This is exactly what I've been telling you and many of my critics often harping on trivial things. You know what I'm talking about.

I started this thread to talk about contending, or not contending. If you’re just going to bicker- get off my lawn!

I still think they’ll contend for a playoff spot.

They won't. And you shouldn't expect them to contend.

One thing I've learned in well over 60 years of watching pro sports....a team HAS to improve, or at least attempt to improve, each and every year. Things change fast in pro sports. It matters not what you did last season, if you wish to remain competitive you have to keep pushing.

The Cards did absolutely NOTHING to improve in 2025. They didn't try and they told you they wouldn't try. They simply don't have the horses to compete in this race. It's not a good team and that will manifest itself further as the season proceeds.

Your optimism is misguided at best.

My optimism is based on highly talented young ball players who are still developing.

[CardinalInNC]

Contend I would say is pretty strong here.

Did I think the Cards were going to be punching any world series tickets this year? Nope, not hardly

However, I really felt like they would be doing better in the NLC than fighting with the Buckos to stay out the basement, especially after they won the two series against the Phillies and the Astros.

I think that's why the season feels more frustrating than usual. If we had started out 0-10 or 1-9 or something like that, nothing would be frustrating, it'd just be ehh ho hum, just that kind of year. But when you actually start out with a sweep or one team even if that team is bad, and then end up taking another series against a good team, you at least feel like you're going to turn a corner. But then you find out how bad you stink on the road and then ... Yeah ... That!