The Cardinals remain a top contender in the NL Central. They’ve made the playoffs for three consecutive seasons and 15 times over the past 21 years with two World Series wins (2006 and 2011). St. Louis had a winning record in each of their previous 14 seasons. The Cardinals have nine other World Series championships (1926, 1931, 1933, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1964, 1967, and 1982).
They finished 12th in ERA (3.98) with a slight bump from their bullpen (3.97 ERA – 11th). Their relievers picked up 36 wins, 25 losses, and 50 saves. St. Louis underperformed in runs (706 – 22nd) and home runs (198 – 16th) while ranking sixth in stolen bases (89).
The only player signed to a major league contract was SP Steven Matz. The Cardinals didn’t re-sign SP Kwang Hyun Kim, SP Carlos Martinez, SP J.A. Happ, RP Andrew Miller, 3B Matt Carpenter, and RP Luis Garcia (SD).
