2015 MLB Team Season Previews – Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are one of the most consistent franchises around. Since 2000 they have missed the playoffs only four times. Over that stretch they have won two World Series and played in two others. In short if you have been betting against these guys you have not been making money.
MLB Lines & Matchup Insight
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This offseason made major “baseball” trade and will look to return to the playoffs once again. Others in the division are gunning for them though.
2015 MLB Team Previews – St. Louis Cardinals
- National League Central: +110
- National League: +650
- World Series: +1200
Key Additions:
- OF Jason Heyward
- IF Mark Reynolds
- RH Jordan Walden
Per the intro the acquisition of Heyward from Atlanta was an old fashioned baseball trade as they looked to fill the gap created by the death of Oscar Taveras by dealing from strength (pitching).
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Heyward burst onto the scene with the Braves but has fizzled since then. Still his floor is pretty solid. Reynolds adds some pop but probably won’t play too much while Walden will be an important part of a strong bullpen.
Key Losses:
- RH Shelby Miller
- IF Daniel Descalso
The trade was a surprise but the Cards had options and might have been selling high on a guy who has only shown flashes in the Majors.
It always makes you wonder when young pitchers are being dealt, especially with one that was as promising coming up as Miller was.
They will only miss him if injuries are a problem. Descalso was a depth guy. He might put up numbers with the Rockies but everyone does in Colorado.
Projected Lineup:
- 3B Matt Carpenter
- OF Jason Heyward
- OF Matt Holliday
- 1B Matt Adams
- SS Jhonny Peralta
- C Yadier Molina
- OF Jon Jay
- 2B Kolten Wong
The Cardinals have a good but not great lineup. They make pitchers work but they lack that elite hitter that puts a scare into opposing pitchers.
Holliday is still a productive hitter but is not the power source he was earlier in his career. As a result there might 3-5 guys who could hit 20 homers but nobody you would expect to hit you 30+.
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St. Louis does have one of the longer lineups in the league though. There is no hole at the catcher spot and guys like Jay and Wong can work pitchers and set things up for the top of the lineup.
They should not have trouble scoring enough runs.
Projected Rotation:
- RH Adam Wainwright
- RH Lance Lynn
- RH John Lackey
- RH Michael Wacha
- RH Carlos Martinez
This is a pretty promising group. It stands out that they are all right handers but I don’t think that matters as much for the rotation. You just need guys that can make their turns and give you a chance to win every game. The key will be the health of Wainwright.
If he is right all season long the team will have an ace and everyone slots in well after that. If not(there are rumours) then they will need more from Wacha and Martinez at the back end. Both have the talent to be frontline guys but neither has proved themselves in the Majors over the long haul yet.
Projected Closer:
- RH Trevor Rosenthal
- RH Jordan Walden
- RH Seth Maness
The bullpen features more righties but is chock full of strong arms. Rosenthal may not get the pub of Aroldis Chapman or Craig Kimbrel but he is very difficult to hit and finished 4th in MLB in saves last season.
Walden brings another power arm while Seth Maness is the type you bring in when you want a ground ball to get out of the inning.
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They do have some lefties they can rely too of the veteran (Randy Choate) and prospect (Marco Gonzales) variety. This group is a strength.
2015 St. Louis Cardinals Season Predictions:
The Cardinals are not going to fade far this season but they are not the best bet to make the playoffs again. If teams like Milwaukee and Chicago are improving some of those wins have to come at their expense and I just have a feeling that they are due for a letdown.
Guys like Molina and Wainwright might underperform or be hurt and I don’t see others stepping up. They are practically even to take the division this season but I think your futures money is better spent elsewhere.
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