The St. Louis Cardinals are 5.5 games back of the last Wild Card spot in the National League, meaning they would need to get scorching hot during the final 21 games of the regular season, and need the three other teams ahead of them to fall off in the final three weeks of the season.
However, it was pretty much expected that the Cardinals wouldn't be competitive this season, and they still have a chance to carry some momentum heading into the 2026 season. If you remember correctly, St. Louis made no notable player transactions before this season, and has dealt with major inconsistency in its starting rotation.
Cardinals predicted to finish above .500
With the 21 games left on the Cardinals' schedule, they sit at 70-71 at the moment, just one game below .500. If they were able to finish above .500 this season, that would be a huge morale victory headed into next season.
Although it has been reported that the Cardinals may not be expected to compete next season as well, if new president of baseball operations, Chaim Bloom, makes the necessary changes/ additions to this roster (starting pitching), I don't see why they wouldn't be able to contend for a Wild Card berth next year.
Sports Illustrated's Patrick McAvoy predicts that the Cardinals will finish over .500 to conclude the season:
"Right now, the Cardinals are just one game below. 500 at 70-71. Last year, the Cardinals floated around .500 before going on a little run to end the season and finish above .500. There are going to be a lot of changes throughout the offseason and these next 21 games are the last time this entire group will be together. One little run to put them over .500 would be a good way to end the season on a positive note."
If the Cardinals were to finish above .500, that would give them plenty of momentum headed into next season. If they cut off some dead weight in the rotation, mostly just Miles Mikolas, and get valuable returns with some offseason trades, things may be different at Busch Stadium next season.