While the Cardinals’ playoff odds aren’t technically at zero (Fangraphs gave them a 6.5% chance to make the playoffs as of Tuesday), these games down the stretch in July have quickly become about two things:
1) Getting a better grasp on which of the Cardinals’ logjam of position players should be part of the long-term plan, and which ones will likely become add-ons in trades this month and in the off-season.
2) Trying to sweeten the value of their expiring contracts — aka getting strong performances from Jordan Montgomemry, Jack Flaherty, Jordan Hicks, Chris Stratton, and potentially Tyler O’Neill before they’re traded.