2020 Saint Louis Cardinals Preview – MLB Preview & Prediction
With the Saint Louis Cardinals, they have been one of the favorites to win the NL Central at any time. However, the Cardinals are a team that has really not done much in the way of free agency to improve, which is a testament to the way that the team has developed their farm system really well. Now, the other aspect that the Cardinals have used to improve on the years is they do make some quiet moves in free agency and use the trade mill to help in getting some of the better players that are able to help get the team rolling.
Saint Louis Cardinals Starter
The starting rotation for the Cardinals is not that horrible and actually has looked fairly strong each year, which is a testament to the pitching coaching staff. The staff ace is projected to be Jack Flaherty. After his spot in the rotation it comes up with Miles Mikolas, Dakota Hudson, Adam Wainwright, and then Carlos Martinez. Last season Flaherty started in 33 games out of 39 games pitched. He ended up throwing a total of 196.1 innings while striking out 231 batters and posting an 11-8 record while getting a 2.75 ERA.
Saint Louis Cardinals Relievers
Relieving has been one of those positions that the Cardinals have ended up relying on each year to help them in winning some of the games. The Cardinals are looking to carry Andrew Miller, Ryan Helsley, John Brebbia, John Gant, and Tyler Webb in the bullpen. When it comes to the closer the Cardinals are looking to rely on Giovanny Gallegos to do the job or potentially Jordan Hicks. Gallegos last year threw in a total of 67 games for a total of 74 innings with 93 strikeouts. He did manage to post a 2.31 ERA while posting a 3-2 record and only a single save with 3 blown saves.
Saint Louis Cardinals Catchers
Manning the plate will be the job of Yadier Molina who has done really well at that job in the past. If Molina needs a day off he will have Matt Wieters backing him up behind the plate. Molina last season played in 113 games and ended up hitting at a clip of .270 on the year with 10 homers and 57 runners brought home. When it comes to throwing out the runners Molina managed to get 26.7% of the runners thrown out.
Saint Louis Cardinals Corners
Playing at first base for the Cardinals will be Paul Goldschmidt at first base and at third base Tommy Edman is manning the base. The backup for first base is Rangel Ravelo and at third base Matt Carpenter is going to be the backup at third base. Goldschmidt last season played in 161 games with a .260 average and ended up with 34 homer and 97 runners brought home. Edman is coming into the year after playing in 92 games last year with a .304 average and ended up getting 11 homers and getting 36 runners home.
Saint Louis Cardinals Middle Infield
The middle infield for the Cardinals is fairly solid with Kolten Wong playing at second base on the year. Short stop will be handled by Paul DeJong. When it comes to the backups the Cardinals will rely on Brad Miller at second and Tommy Edman at short. Wong on the season last year ended up getting 148 games played and hit at a clip of .285 with 11 homers and 59 runners brought home. DeJong played in 159 games last year while hitting at .233 and hitting 30 homers and getting 78 runners brought home.
Saint Louis Cardinals Outfield
Left field for the Cardinals will be manned by Tyler O’Neill. Centerfield is looking to be headed up by Harrison Bader. Right field is going to look to be held up by Dexter Fowler. When it comes to the backups the Cardinals have some depth issues with Fowler backing up in left, Lane Thomas backs up in center, but the starting third baseman is the backup in right field. Hitting on the year last season saw O’Neill hit at a clip of .262 with 5 homers and 16 RBIs in 60 games played. Bader last year played in 128 games and only managed to hit at a clip of .205 with 12 homers and 39 RBIs. Fowler looked impressive at times with 150 games played and managed to hit only at a clip of.238 with 19 homers and 67 runners brought home.
Saint Louis Cardinals Prediction
With the Cardinals the team has looked good and consistent year in and year out. The Cardinals do rely quite heavily on their farm system and even some trades as well during the year. That could play out again in the season, but the Cardinals offensive outfield is not nearly as productive as what it has been in the past and that could make it difficult for the Cardinals to be seen as a good threat in the NL Central. The infield, though, should be able to make up the difference and lead to the Cardinals finishing in the top 2 of the NLCentral.
