St. Louis Cardinals 2018 Season Preview

The St. Louis Cardinals took a step back in 2017. Can they reverse their fortunes and return to contention in the coming season?

Over the years, the St. Louis Cardinals have been a perennial playoff contender. Since 1996, when Tony LaRussa took the helm, the Cardinals have made the postseason 13 times, with four World Series appearances and two championships. Heading into 2017, the Cardinals had failed to win as many as 84 games only five times. The Cardinal Way was back, and better than ever.

However, last year, the Cardinals took a step back. Not only did the Brewers make a jump up the standings, but St. Louis did not get the production they needed. They finished at 83-79, nine games out of the Central, and were an afterthought for the playoff picture for most of the year. It was certainly a disappointment.

This year, there is hope that The Cardinal Way will find its way once again. Marcell Ozuna was acquired to provide more pop to a roster that lacked a real power threat. Luke Gregerson was signed to potentially fill in as the Cardinals new closer. Miles Mikolas, who reinvented himself in Japan, was signed to fill out the back of the rotation. The Cardinals have definitely improved their roster over last season.

But are those moves enough? Do the St. Louis Cardinals have the pieces they need to unseat the Chicago Cubs and reclaim the Central?