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Lessons learned? 2021 Cardinals revamp pitching, rely on defense and streak their way to history, but fall shy of being historic

Within the Cardinals’ clubhouse, where home white jerseys hung with such care at each stall, the players could read the names in the lineup like a constellation, from All-Star to new star to superstar to rising star, and often arrive at the same question so many observers had night after night.

It’s one manager Mike Shildt asked, in various forms, during private conversations with veterans, and Adam Wainwright wondered along with him.

“The first half was like — I really don’t understand why we’re not winning,” he said.

Their pitching depth undone by injury and their offense undermined by absence and approach, the Cardinals spent much of the season wondering why they could see a different team shining beyond the fog than the standings did.