Cards just went 4-2 vs Dodgers and Cubs

[Carp4Cy]

We may not make the playoffs but we just proved we could win a 3 game series in the playoffs vs the teams we could likely face.

We can’t pretend like this team has to be 3 to 5 years away from competing when they’re already in a position to beat some of the best teams in the National League with what we have and that doesn’t include our best two prospects or fresh talent that bloom should have room to acquire with all the dry powder saved from Fedde and Matz and Mikolas and GoldSchmidt.

[3dender]

Buy!

But seriously, the Rockies beat this team a few weeks ago in a series... does that make the Rockies "not too far" from competing in the future?

Of course it doesn't, because in baseball any team can win any given series. There are a ton of factors that go into it, for instance right now the Cubs having half their lineup in a hilarious slump.

The reason it's dangerous to the long-term health of the org to engage in this "we're really not too far off" thinking is that it prevents the people in charge from seriously examining how flawed their entire system has been for the last 10-15 years. The overhaul they're doing in the minors the last 1-2 years absolutely needs to also be applied to the major league team. The time for patchwork solutions (a Sonny Gray here, a Willson Contreras there) is long gone.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Buy!

But seriously, the Rockies beat this team a few weeks ago in a series... does that make the Rockies "not too far" from competing in the future?

Of course it doesn't, because in baseball any team can win any given series. There are a ton of factors that go into it, for instance right now the Cubs having half their lineup in a hilarious slump.

The reason it's dangerous to the long-term health of the org to engage in this "we're really not too far off" thinking is that it prevents the people in charge from seriously examining how flawed their entire system has been for the last 10-15 years. The overhaul they're doing in the minors the last 1-2 years absolutely needs to also be applied to the major league team. The time for patchwork solutions (a Sonny Gray here, a Willson Contreras there) is long gone.

Good write.

[MrPostman01]

In previous seasons some folks bemoaned our inability to beat the better teams. Now we snooze against the stumbling teams.

[sikeston bulldog2]

In previous seasons some folks bemoaned our inability to beat the better teams. Now we snooze against the stumbling teams.

Play up to our opponents potential.

[ClassicO]

It was impressive. And fun to watch!

[CorneliusWolfe]

In previous seasons some folks bemoaned our inability to beat the better teams. Now we snooze against the stumbling teams.

The new normal is more frustrating because it creates false hope, and doesn’t make sense.

[11WSChamps]

The OPS thinking is what got us here in the first place.

[bccardsfan]

Folks, teams turn it up at play off time. We don't have the pitching to turn it up, even if we made it into the dance. This is NOT a WS team. Gray is inconsistent, and he is your only really good starter. Sure, Libby MIGHT turn in a great game, but he also might turn in a clunker. McG shows some grit, but he is not going to blow away a really good lineup. All that said, this team could be pretty good with the addition of one or two SPs and a really good bat, preferably corner OFer, but somewhere at least. WC needs to be your best supporting piece, not your star hitter. Nado's best offensive days are behind him, and he has never shown up in the playoffs to date anyway. There is a serious clutter of 1B/DH types and a lack of consistent corner OFers who have OPS north of .800. Let's see what they do in the off season...

[Poojols]

Buy!

But seriously, the Rockies beat this team a few weeks ago in a series... does that make the Rockies "not too far" from competing in the future?

Of course it doesn't, because in baseball any team can win any given series. There are a ton of factors that go into it, for instance right now the Cubs having half their lineup in a hilarious slump.

The reason it's dangerous to the long-term health of the org to engage in this "we're really not too far off" thinking is that it prevents the people in charge from seriously examining how flawed their entire system has been for the last 10-15 years. The overhaul they're doing in the minors the last 1-2 years absolutely needs to also be applied to the major league team. The time for patchwork solutions (a Sonny Gray here, a Willson Contreras there) is long gone.

Very well said from top to bottom.

[Talkin' Baseball]

The Cardinals team reflects management's philosophies on risk. This roster is mostly (not entirely) a bunch of high-floor, low-ceiling types of "safe" players. Are they major league quality? Most of them are. They just have low ceilings and the results reflect this. I think of the 2004 team with Reggie Sanders as the #7 hitter. He had 22 HR and 27 doubles. He would be our "middle of the order bat" in this lineup. They have been doing just barely enough and selling us a handful of hope.

[rockondlouie]

Nice stretch, hopefully they don't let down vs the lowly Rockies.

Only downside if they do make a miracle run at that #3 WC spot would be getting stuck w/Oli for yet another wasted year (and yes, I'm not an Oli fan).

[Futuregm2]

Nice stretch, hopefully they don't let down vs the lowly Rockies.

Only downside if they do make a miracle run at that #3 WC spot would be getting stuck w/Oli for yet another wasted year (and yes, I'm not an Oli fan).

I doubt that Bloom would use getting to the playoffs as his decision to keep Oli. I still believe we’ll have a new manager next year with the new front office.

We have Colorado, Yankees, Marlins, Rays, Pirates, and Reds the next few weeks. Hopefully we can go on a good run.

[Cusecards]

They are still sifting through position players with more on the cusp(JJ, Crooks, Bernal, Baez, etc).
Rotation is the big question!

[rockondlouie]

Nice stretch, hopefully they don't let down vs the lowly Rockies.

Only downside if they do make a miracle run at that #3 WC spot would be getting stuck w/Oli for yet another wasted year (and yes, I'm not an Oli fan).

I doubt that Bloom would use getting to the playoffs as his decision to keep Oli. I still believe we’ll have a new manager next year with the new front office.

We have Colorado, Yankees, Marlins, Rays, Pirates, and Reds the next few weeks. Hopefully we can go on a good run.

But would BDWJr use that as his reason since Oli is still under contract for 2026?

Probably not but you never know.

(And I'm on record saying I don't think Bloom would accept the position unless he could hire his own GM & Field Manager, so fingers crossed he reassigns Oli to AA/AAA if Oli wants to stay employed)

[alw80]

Extend Mo and Oli?