It was the addition of the heavy-hitting first baseman, per the president of baseball operations, that showed the Cardinals’ emphasis on ending the streak of three consecutive postseason absences.
The Cardinals used to roost here, remember? They have not felt this feeling later than June since 2017, when they shared the division lead on Aug. 12. It lasted a day. The Cardinals have not held first place alone and after June since 2015. Hard to believe, isn’t it? Even more reason to fight like heck to keep it.
Cardinals leadership had in recent comments sounded undecided about the direction the team should take before the July 31 trade deadline.