In a typical season, the Cardinals should do everything they can to put themselves in position to win the division. That is a goal that is within their ability to plan toward through smart roster decisions in the offseason. However, over a shortened and compressed season, like baseball’s postseason, marathoners have to become sprinters. A team built to win over 162 games is not guaranteed success over 19.
60 games feels more like an extended postseason rather than a short regular season. Luck will have as much say in baseball’s victors as talent, payroll, and planning.