5 players the Cardinals should have trusted more against the Phillies

Hindsight is always 20-20. Given that and about a month, it’s easy to look back and see what could have been better for the Cardinals. 

Many a Major League Baseball fan didn’t anticipate the Cardinals would run into a juggernaut in the Philadelphia Phillies to end their fairytale-like season that saw the end to the careers of legends Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina.

But what a fantastic run the Phillies have had.

It all started with their stunning defeat of the Cardinals, specifically, that came back in the ninth inning of the first game of the Wild Card game. Ryan Helsley seemingly blew up while the Cardinals hitters couldn’t get a hit to save their season.

Many would point to the manager, Oli Marmol, and his coaches for these issues. While their Wild Card blow-up isn’t necessarily to blame, the Cardinals are looking for a new bench coach, a hitting coach, a pitching coach, and a bullpen coach. Bench coach Skip Schumaker will manage the Miami Marlins. Hitting coach Jeff Albert decided to step down from the team after feeling pressure from outside sources. Pitching coach Mike Maddux was looking to slow down while Bryan Eversgerd was reassigned within the organization.

Nolan Arenado decided to stay with the Cardinals for the next few years by choosing not to use his opt-out for free agency. Adam Wainwright is returning next year for his final season with the Cardinals. The two join a talented team but need a catcher, pitching, an outfielder, and a designated hitter, preferably a lefty. Luckily, John Mozeliak, Cardinals president of baseball operations, expects their payroll will increase in 2023.

So with new coaching and increased payroll, the Cardinals should have renewed hope for 2023.

With that renewed hope, let’s look back and see which players the Cardinals should have trusted more in that final series with the Phillies.