Predictions for the St. Louis Cardinals 2022 season

ST LOUIS, MO - SEPTEMBER 12: Members of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrate after defeating the Cincinnati Reds 2-0 at Busch Stadium on September 12, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO - SEPTEMBER 12: Members of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrate after defeating the Cincinnati Reds 2-0 at Busch Stadium on September 12, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images) /
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Tyler O’Neill #27 of the St. Louis Cardinals hits a three-run home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in the fifth inning at Busch Stadium on August 19, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
Tyler O’Neill #27 of the St. Louis Cardinals hits a three-run home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in the fifth inning at Busch Stadium on August 19, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

Miranda Remaklus (@missmiranda)

MVP: Tyler O’Neill

He will pick up where he left off in 2022 and steadily improve. He will continue to be an outstanding defensive outfielder, getting his third consecutive Gold Glove. He will lead the team in home runs, having a running competition all season with Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado and Paul DeJong.

Cy Young: Dakota Hudson

He will have a break out season and dominate. He leads the pitching staff until the return of Jack Flaherty in June. He and Flaherty will become co-aces of the staff. Hudson receives honors for leading the staff. Miles Mikolas’s revenge tour will be epic, as well.

X-Factor: Paul DeJong

If DeJong returns to form as an elite shortstop and hits the way we saw in 2018 and 2019, he will be a tremendous asset to the club down the stretch. Dylan Carlson is another x-factor if he also becomes a Gold Glove winning outfielder. He can hit. He just needs to do so consistently. Albert Pujols and Corey Dickerson will be important depending on how well they step into their designated hitting/bench option roles.

Two sentence team evaluation: Much is expected of this incredibly talented team. If they can pull it all together, they will indeed be incredible.

Bold prediction: Lots of October baseball

I think the Cardinals will be better than many think. It won’t be an easy ride but with so much talent, a 12th World Championship in 2022 is within grasp.