6 things to watch out for as the Cardinals skid into September

The 2024 season started with so much promise after the 2023 season, which included the St. Louis Cardinals' first losing season in decades. The team is now rocking the .500 mark, and the fan base is growing tired of a team that lacks the fire of past Cardinals teams.

Changes need to be made, and they can not come fast enough.

Here are some things the fanbase can look forward to as we move into the final weeks of the season.

1. Roster changes

The Cardinals have made several roster moves over the past couple of weeks to tap into what they have to make at least a showing in their final games of the 2024 season. John Mozeliak, president of baseball operations, promised that more moves were coming as they looked into the players they had in the minor leagues and how they would be used.

Several players, including Steven Matz and Lance Lynn, are expected to return to the roster after injured list stints. To make room for their return, more roster moves must be made. While neither player is a must-watch start, the team must see what they have in these players while considering the 2025 season.

Michael Siani became a fan favorite in center field, but an oblique injury has sidelined him. Victor Scott II has made some great plays since being recalled from Memphis, but will he stay once Siani returns from the injured list? He could be a couple of weeks away from a return.

Willson Contreras's fractured right middle finger has allowed Ivan Herrera to be recalled from Memphis to back up Pedro Pages. Contreras wants to return to the field, but the injury gives him time to work with the pitching staff and help Pages and Herrera. He should hold off pushing to get back too quickly. He should allow for rest and take in the experience of helping. We have several more years with Contereas. He needs to be healthy.

Mozeliak would like to challenge more players at the big league level. Moves made to facilitate these challenges will affect how the team looks moving forward.