We’re now 8 days away from opening day for the 2018 MLB season. Coming up next on the list of my 2018 power rankings is number 8, the St. Louis Cardinals.
LAST YEAR
83-79. A team that missed out on the playoffs by four games, even with stellar years from Tommy Pham and rookie Paul DeJong. Pham became the first Cardinal ever to hit .300/.400/.500 while hitting 20 Home Runs and stealing 20 bases. The pitching staff ranked sixth in ERA, while they scored the seventh most runs in the NL. When you look at those two statistics alone, it is not puzzling to think that this was the seventh-best team in the National League. We watched the Cardinals lose games in the ninth inning with what seemed like night in and night out to blown saves. They actually finished with the 4th fewest blown saves in the NL (17) along with nearly a 72% save percentage.
KEY CONTRIBUTOR
My difference maker this season for the St. Louis Cardinals this year is Tommy Pham. If Pham posts a season similar to last year’s record-breaking season this team can win the NL Central. Here’s why: the starting rotation has given reason for optimism this season. Adam Wainwright and Luke Weaver have looked very good in the spring, therefore even if Wacha or Mikolas are average, it’s ok, because Alex Reyes is returning in early May, to a role that’s to be determined. It seems Jack Flaherty has given reason for optimism after his outstanding spring. There’s a reason Tommy Pham is the key contributor. It’s because I’m skeptical that he can put together a similar season to this year’s past. It’s not Marcell Ozuna because he is the best Cardinals outfielder and I believe he will have another outstanding year. In Ozuna’s three full (non-injury) seasons he has posted a wRC+ of over 100 (116, 106 and 142). In those season’s he’s slugged a minimum of .450 with playing at least 600 plate appearances. This past season for the Cardinals, they only had one player that even got 600 plate appearances, and that’s Matt Carpenter. I don’t have any worry with Ozuna. When I think about Pham, I get worried because he is technically the only outfielder without an extension past this year. Ozuna and Fowler are locked into their spots. When you look at the outfield depth of the Cardinals, do you think it’s possible if Pham has a bad first half that it’s out of the realm of possibilities that there could be a switch-up in the outfield? I don’t think that’s going to happen, but it’s something to think about. Pham has the confidence of President of Baseball Operations, John Mozeliak. Pham’s going to have to contribute similar to last season to get this offense rolling back to the playoffs.
LOOKING AHEAD
As I look ahead to the 2018 season for the Cardinals I see an increase in wins. I see a lot of reasons for optimism with this team, especially with their minor league depth. Everyone saw the glaring need for the Cardinals as the big bat in the lineup. Well, they have it in Ozuna and there’s going to be a lot of cheering in Busch Stadium this year.
Potential opening day lineup for Cardinals:
RF – Dexter Fowler
CF – Tommy Pham
1B – Matt Carpenter
LF – Marcell Ozuna
SS – Paul DeJong
C – Yadier Molina
3B – Jedd Gyorko
2B – Kolten Wong
PREDICTION
88-74. 2nd in the NL Central and the #1 Wildcard spot.
