3 playoff predictions for the St. Louis Cardinals

Here are three predictions that could turn the tide of the playoffs for the St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals are nearly ensured to make the postseason this year, with a 99.8% likelihood according to the latest stats. If nothing changes, the Cardinals would face the San Diego Padres in the first round.

The Cardinals have been on an offensive and bullpen downturn as of late, but fans shouldn’t panic. While the Cardinals might not be able to match up with the best teams that will make the postseason, such as the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves, it’s really just a matter of which team gets the hottest in October.

That being said, there are several strategies manager Oliver Marmol could take to optimize the team’s chances. Marmol has proven to be a strong manager in his first season at the helm, and Paul Goldschmidt’s and Nolan Arenado’s fantastic seasons have helped propel the Cardinals to the place they’re in now. Albert Pujols’ resurgence in his final season hasn’t hurt, either.

Marmol has shown that he has a quick hook to the bullpen, which is a refreshing change from former managers Mike Matheny and Mike Shildt. Today’s era is dependent on relief pitching, and while the bullpen has sputtered a bit in recent weeks, the back end, at least, remains among the best in baseball.

Ryan Helsley has emerged as one of the top closers in the game in 2022, but Marmol would be wise to use him in high-leverage situations instead of saving him for the ninth inning all the time.

Marmol’s decisions, no matter how minute, will be under a microscope during the postseason. Here are three wise actions I think Marmol will take in the playoffs.

Albert Pujols will be an everyday fixture

Since all eyes are on Albert Pujols as the season winds down to see if he can reach the hallowed mark of 700 home runs, it obviously behooves the Cardinals to put him in the lineup every day. But regardless of whether Pujols is able to reach 700 by season’s end, Marmol should consider keeping him in the lineup for the postseason.

Right now, Pujols is under immense pressure to reach 700. With the pressure off after the season, no matter if he reaches the mark, he should be able to relax and play his game instead of swinging for the fences in every at-bat. Secondly, the Cardinals probably don’t have a better option. Corey Dickerson has cooled off after his ridiculous stretch where he went 10 for 10, and Dylan Carlson will be difficult to trust upon his return. Even though Pujols has just been adequate against right-handers, he is the best choice for the playoffs as the designated hitter.

Jose Quintana will secure the fourth spot

The most interesting battle to watch as the season draws to a close will be who performs better out of Jose Quintana and Jack Flaherty to take the fourth spot in the playoff rotation. While it could come down to the wire, I think Quintana will eke out the rotation spot ahead of Flaherty.

Flaherty was out for most of the season and pitched ineffectively in most of the games he started. Quintana hasn’t set the world on fire in his time with the Cardinals, but he has pitched respectably in the majority of his outings. Flaherty’s next few starts will go a long way toward determining whether he can unseat Quintana in the rotation and relegate him to the bullpen.

Flaherty could be a weapon out of the bullpen with his velocity, and it would be a bit risky to depend on him in the rotatin when he hasn’t pitched much in 2022. While Quintana might not be a stud on the mound, he should serve as an innings eater at the very least.

If Oliver Marmol keeps Albert Pujols in the lineup, uses Zack Thompson effectively, and starts Jose Quintana over Jack Flaherty, the Cardinals have a chance to make a deep postseason run.