St. Louis Cardinals
Record: 4-9 (fifth place, National League Central)
We normally can’t use the word “inept” to describe the Cardinals. From 1998-2016, St. Louis had as many World Series wins (two) as losing seasons. So, while it’s still very early, 4-9 comes as a surprise.
Worse is that based on how the team has been playing, the record is not a fluke. In fact, based on its run differential (44 scored, 65 allowed), St, Louis has actually over achieved.
The Cardinals have slashed at .209/.287/.329 at the plate. The St. Louis pitchers have a 4.66 ERA and 1.455 WHIP. Defensively, the Cards have a .977 fielding percentage — the fourth-worst total in the league. These numbers are all bad for any team, not just the Cardinals and their normal standards.
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To be fair, we weren’t expecting a “vintage” season from St. Louis. With the Chicago Cubs in the National League Central and a top-heavy senior circuit, a playoff spot was going to be hard to come by.
But what we’ve seen in the last 13 games has been abnormal. In the truest sense of the phrase, the Cardinals have been shockingly inept.