Biggest surprise (to date) in 2025?

[Monsieur De Treville]

It's been an interesting Cardinal season so far. What has surprised you most this season with regards to YOUR 2025 St Louis Cardinals? I'll throw out some ideas, but maybe you have others...

1. The emergence of Libby as a starting pitcher?
2. Contreras defense at first base?
3. Walker's defense in RF?
4. Inability to trade Nado?
5. The ascension (offensively) of Herrera?
6. The work of Brant Brown?
7. The way Scott has seized the CF position?
8. The lackluster Busch III attendance?

I'm going with #1. I thought his future was as a starter, but right now I'm amazed at how good he's been and his overall command and presence on the mound.

You?

[RamFan08NY]

I'm going with the fact that with more than 25% of the season played out, the Cards are only 2.5 games behind the mighty dodgers for the best record in the N.L.

[Olemiss540]

Kyle Leahy should be on the top 10. No way that continues but crazy stats so far.

[ramfandan]

It's been an interesting Cardinal season so far. What has surprised you most this season with regards to YOUR 2025 St Louis Cardinals? I'll throw out some ideas, but maybe you have others...

1. The emergence of Libby as a starting pitcher?
2. Contreras defense at first base?
3. Walker's defense in RF?
4. Inability to trade Nado?
5. The ascension (offensively) of Herrera?
6. The work of Brant Brown?
7. The way Scott has seized the CF position?
8. The lackluster Busch III attendance?

I'm going with #1. I thought his future was as a starter, but right now I'm amazed at how good he's been and his overall command and presence on the mound.

You?

Great list ! Since you asked for others..
No. 9. The work of Jon Jay

Been instrumental in No. 3 and in defense of No.7 too

[HorseTrader]

Miles and Matz. Miles because, well who would have bet he'd have an ERA under 4 at this point in the season? Matz, isn't on the IL, that's always a huge surprise

[Banner29]

6 for me. Wasn’t excited about the hire but he appears to be doing well so far. If he can ever figure out Walker and Gorman and put their power potential in action this lineup will be absolutely lethal

1 would be my honorable mention. Libs is looking to be legitimate TOTR.

[Jatalk]

It's been an interesting Cardinal season so far. What has surprised you most this season with regards to YOUR 2025 St Louis Cardinals? I'll throw out some ideas, but maybe you have others...

1. The emergence of Libby as a starting pitcher?
2. Contreras defense at first base?
3. Walker's defense in RF?
4. Inability to trade Nado?
5. The ascension (offensively) of Herrera?
6. The work of Brant Brown?
7. The way Scott has seized the CF position?
8. The lackluster Busch III attendance?

I'm going with #1. I thought his future was as a starter, but right now I'm amazed at how good he's been and his overall command and presence on the mound.

You?

Great list. I guess I would go with #6

[CorneliusWolfe]

Oli going old school and letting starters earn their money instead of automatic pull after 5 innings and 65 pitches. He seems to be getting better in general as far as feel for the game/moment. I wonder if Brown/Descalso/Jay are offering better critiques and more bold feedback on his decisions/strategies. They don’t seem like yes-men type. Maybe he’s listening or just learned a lot from past mistakes and evolving. Something is different about him. They’re not just winning despite him, he’s contributing.

[JDW]

I'll go with everything so far posted in this thread.

[hdhntr148]

yes to whole list. fact they are so competitive and turned around their miserable road record completely? Priceless.

Biggest disappointment? Gorman and Walker's lack of improvement. Both have hard time making consistent contact and while they have oodles of power can't barrel up the ball consistently.

hard to justify playing them but they won't get better unless getting AB's they don't actually deserve. big problem for Gorman especially when the starter ahead of him at 2nd is leading the league in hits and is playing GG defense.

Like to see him get the occasional start at 3rd and give the older Arenado some more breaks. can't be your DH very often when you have Ivan as one of best hitters in league after he came back and Burleson there as well.

How long a leash do you give him?

[2ninr]

It's been an interesting Cardinal season so far. What has surprised you most this season with regards to YOUR 2025 St Louis Cardinals? I'll throw out some ideas, but maybe you have others...

1. The emergence of Libby as a starting pitcher?
2. Contreras defense at first base?
3. Walker's defense in RF?
4. Inability to trade Nado?
5. The ascension (offensively) of Herrera?
6. The work of Brant Brown?
7. The way Scott has seized the CF position?
8. The lackluster Busch III attendance?

I'm going with #1. I thought his future was as a starter, but right now I'm amazed at how good he's been and his overall command and presence on the mound.

You?

#1 All the way. Transformed the starting rotation and residual effect on the bullpen not being over used.

[TheFantasyStud]

Love the list. Here’s 10 more to add to it.

1. It’s hard to find someone complaining about Mo, Oli and the Dewallets on cards chat anymore.
2. That the Mathew’s and McGreevy push for that starting rotation has subsided.
3. That we have 4 catchers on the MLB roster.
4. That Molina and Pujols for Manager movement has died
5. That we have the number on defense in baseball without Siani and with Walker in right.
6. That Siani isn’t on the roster. Woo hoo!
7. That Phil Maton $2,000,000 was an incredible free agent signing.
8. The only game we lost in the last two weeks we lost by 1 run.
9. That Lars is locked down at lead off
10. That we will probably be buyers at that trade deadline.

[thetank2]

The defense is probably the best in the league.

[ecleme22]

To date….(my opinions)

1. The cards haven’t opened the first two months of a season with such a productive, no-drama starting staff since 2019.
2. The cards haven’t opened a season with such a “put together” roster top to bottom since 2013.

[Konstantinov]

Since this is mostly the same cast of characters as the past 2 years except for the addition of Brant Brown, I’m going with the work of Brant Brown. Job well done.

[scoutyjones2]

1. The Orioles

2. For the Cards...So far, only 2 starts not made by the normal SP rotation